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3 reasons why Arsenal are still favourites in title race

Charles Binns
Charles Binns

Pain in the Arsenal

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 16, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal secured a 2-2 draw at Anfield last Sunday to stay six points clear of second-place Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Premier League fans, Gooners, Citizens and the media appear to believe the reigning champions will now take the title – or are more likely to do so. This is undoubtedly a slight overreaction.

3 reasons why Arsenal are still the favourites in Premier League title race

The Gunners threw away a two-goal lead at Anfield. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
The Gunners threw away a two-goal lead at Anfield. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

1. Anfield draw is not a bad result

For Gooners who were happy with a draw at the fortress which is Anfield, it may feel that the world has forgotten that Manchester City lost there in October.

While the Gunners did score two goals relatively early in the game, sharing the points when Liverpool is at home is never a bad result. Therefore it is surprising that some view the weekend’s result as a traumatic blow to Arsenal’s title hopes when considering the season as a whole.

Arsenal remain at the top of the league with an albeit relatively smaller cushion. Any Arsenal fan or Manchester City hater would have begged for this to be the stage Mikel Arteta’s squad would be nearing the end of the campaign.

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Mikel Arteta’s side are where they are for a reason. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta’s side are where they are for a reason. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

2. Trust what you see

Arsenal are simply magnificent. The play from the back, the immaculate midfield, the formation that turns a front three into a front five at times, and the juvenile enthusiasm that runs through the entire club are all felt and seen on game day.

It is not an outrageous position to think City are capable of winning the league – they have done so four times in the last five seasons – it is unfair, however, to see them as the favourites at this stage. The young Arsenal team have simply been unstoppable. The biggest advantage the Gunners have is their ability to regroup and go again.

One can be sure the draw at Anfield will do little to demoralise this excellent crop of Arsenal talent whether that be on the bench, on the pitch or in the dugout.

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A potential title decider takes place at the Etihad on 26 April. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
A potential title decider takes place at the Etihad on 26 April. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

3. The game at the Etihad

When Manchester City came to the Emirates, the matchup seemed bigger than ever. The game was fairly even, and one could say Arsenal were the better team for most parts of the game. However, unforced errors on the defensive end cost the Gunners three points. Despite the previous disappointment, Arteta’s side have all the tools, skills and intangibles necessary to win at the Etihad later this month which dwarfs the previous encounter.

Once again, a draw may be good enough to retain first-place status. Arsenal fans should be excited and confident heading into that fixture assuming the team takes care of West Ham and Southampton.

Arsenal are in a good position. To see a draw at Anfield as a blow to the Gunners’ success shows how far the entirety of the club has come in only a matter of seasons. Arsenal still have one hand on their first Premier League title in two decades and fans should be backing the team down the stretch.

Charles Binns

Charles Binns

Charles Binns is currently the Assistant Sports and Health Editor for The Observer at Fordham University. As a native of London, England, Charles is pursuing a Journalism Degree in New York. Charles' goal is to bring his passion for Arsenal Football Club to Fansided and Pain In The Arsenal.