Arsenal: Yes, title talk is ridiculous… for now

After seven straight wins in the Premier League, Arsenal are being mentioned as possible title challengers. Such talk is ridiculous… for now.

It has been one of the most riveting starts to a season for some time. Arsenal, after replacing Arsene Wenger in the summer, lost their first two matches, slumped to just above the relegation zone, and then rattled off ten straight wins in all competitions, including seven in the Premier League, ending in a 3-1 win over Leicester City on Monday night.

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That run leaves the Gunners in fourth position, just two points behind the league-leading pair, Manchester City and Liverpool. It has led to some fans and analysts questioning whether Arsenal are genuine title challengers. Unai Emery was asked about his team’s title chances. He hardly answered the question:

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"“I think we need to continue with this calm. We think with each match there is a big possibility to continue in our way. It’s very important to win today because Leicester are behind us but near and today I think we created a big distance. Then in front, we are looking at Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. But for us it isn’t important to think of the end, we need to think about the next matches against Crystal Palace next Sunday and also another competition like the Europa League which is very important for Thursday in continuing to do our way and improving. Working on tactical things and video things to help them to find the best performance.”"

Emery is clearly focusing on the process, the next match, the next training session, the next technical and tactical aspect that needs to be addressed. He is not concerned with the title talk that is rippling through the Emirates stanchions. And nor should he be.

Yes, results-wise, Arsenal are arguably the best team in the country right now. And more recently, they have put some wonderful moments together on the football pitch, especially in the second halves in wins over Fulham and Leicester City. But they have not shown the defensive security to be considered true title contenders, not yet anyway.

Because, although I do not nearly see Emery’s team in the same tier as City, Liverpool or Chelsea, over the next few weeks, I could very easily change my mind. Throughout this run of good results, Arsenal have only really beaten teams they would be expected to beat. Of the seven teams that have overcome, only two currently reside in the top half and three sit in the bottom four.

However, over the next month or so, that will very quickly change. Of Arsenal’s next six Premier League opponents, five are in the top half as of writing. The other match is an away trip to Crystal Palace, no easy fixture. They will play Liverpool, Spurs and Manchester United all by December 5th.

The title talk is ridiculous. For now. But if the Gunners come through the next month with some good performances and big wins, suddenly, their chances of breaking a 14-year duck will be far more admissible.