Is this Arsenal's year to win the Premier League?

Last season, Arsenal looked certain to secure their first Premier League title since 2004 after spending 248 days at the top but stumbled in the last few weeks of the campaign and were beaten to it by Manchester City.

In the summer, many predicted the Gunners to further improve and once again compete with the Cityzens for the coveted Premier League trophy.

Mikel Arteta made significant improvements to his squad in the summer transfer window with the signings of Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice. However, the Spaniard also made some questionable decisions on the transfer front with the signings of Kai Havertz and David Raya. Added to this, the departure of Granit Xhaka left a gap in the squad in terms of quality, passion and leadership.

However Arsenal's transfer window may be viewed, they were expected to be in the title race this season and are so far accomplishing that. Being in the race is a huge positive for Arteta and his squad but the real question is if they can finally secure the trophy.

Arsenal's 2023/24 season so far

The Gunners currently sit in third place in the Premier League with 58 points, just two off Liverpool and one off Manchester City. Mikel Arteta's team have played 26 games; winning 18, drawing four and losing four. Having conceded just 23 goals all season, they have the best defence in the league and the second-best attack with 62 goals scored.

Arsenal have secured some crucial victories with home wins over both Manchester clubs and title rivals Liverpool. On top of this, there have been occasions where the Gunners have completely blown their opponents away with results such as the 6-0 win at West Ham and 5-0 wins against Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Burnley.

The Gunners are out of the FA Cup but are still in the Champions League and will be hoping to turn over a 1-0 deficit in the home leg of their round of 16 tie against Porto. As well as chasing the Premier League title, it should be in the minds of the players to win Europe's ultimate prize for the first time in club history.

For the most part, Arsenal's injury situation is largely positive and it looks like this will only get better as the end of the season approaches. It is very possible that Arteta could have a fully fit squad available to him in time for the run-in.

The Gunners are currently on a six game winning run in the Premier League having secured wins against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, West Ham, Burnley, and Newcastle United. The team will be hoping to continue this run with their next three games looking very favourable. Arsenal travel to Sheffield United next week before hosting Brentford and Chelsea.

Arsenal still have some tough games to play. They have to play Chelsea and Aston Villa at home while they have away days at Manchester City, Brighton, Wolves, Tottenham and Manchester United to look forward to. However, if they can build on their current winning run and get the best results they can from these tough games, the Gunners should be able to build the momentum needed to win the league.

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Liverpool & Manchester City stand in the way

As has been the case for a few years, Liverpool and Manchester City are very much in the title race. These two clubs, which appear unstoppable at times, are what stand in the way of Arsenal winning the Premier League. However, both sides have looked shaky at times this term so it is very possible they could stumble and present the Gunners with a chance to snatch the title.

After a poor campaign last year, Liverpool have bounced back this season and currently sit at the top of the Premier League table. They have the best attack in the league having scored 63 goals and also the second best defence with 25 conceded.

Liverpool secured a big result in terms of the title race with a 1-1 draw away to Manchester City in November but, like Arsenal, still have some difficult games to play. The Reds are yet to host Man City, Brighton and Tottenham and still have to travel to Everton, Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Jurgen Klopp's side won the Carabao Cup on Sunday and there's no doubt that this will act as momentum to get their hands on their second Premier League title. Added to this, the squad will be hoping to give Klopp the perfect farewell before he leaves the club at the season. Liverpool are still in the FA Cup and are the current favourites to win the Europa League so it may be difficult to compete in all three competitions, especially given their current injury woes.

It comes as no surprise that Manchester City find themselves in yet another title race. However, Pep Guardiola's side haven't been quite as imperious this term and have won just one game against the so-called 'Big Six'. They've recently been forced to grind out results.

Last season, City were victorious in seven of their ten games against other 'Big Six' sides and the best they can do with their remaining fixtures is match this record. Arsenal's visit to the Etihad at the end of March could be decisive.

Added to the tough games they are yet to play, Man City are still in the FA Cup and Champions League and will be hoping to complete another treble this season. Unlike Arsenal and especially Liverpool, this seems very doable for the Manchester side due to their squad depth. City currently only have one first team player unavailable in Josko Gvardiol and he is expected to be fit in March. This means they would most likely have a fully fit squad in time for the run in.

Having a fully fit squad in time for the end of the season will be a great sight for Pep Guardiola and as Manchester City have shown in past seasons, they are no strangers to going on a good run in order to secure the Premier League title. Despite this, the difficult games they are yet to play could halt City's hopes of winning a fourth consecutive league title.

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Verdict

Given the situations each of the title-chasing teams are in, Arsenal can definitely still win the title but may be prevented by Manchester City yet again. It seems that Liverpool's lack of squad depth could eventually catch-up to them, while City's experience could prove pivotal.

Mikel Arteta's hopes will be boosted by the potential of having a fully fit squad for the run-in, but despite their shakiness at times, Man City's dominance and ability to go on 20-something winning runs may prove too tough to beat.

If Arsenal can maintain their current winning run over the next few weeks, it may be a different story, but with 12 games remaining until the end of the campaign, the Gunners are still within a shout, but Manchester City's brilliance will probably prevail yet again.

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