Here in the Transfer Tavern we’ve got a lot of excited fans of different teams after this weekend’s Premier League action.
Four of the five pretenders to the crown, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all recorded impressive victories as Spurs stuttered to a 1-1 draw with Leicester City at White Hart Lane. As for Manchester United, well, right now they’re not in contention according to our landlord.
A five-horse race for the title, then, it seems and we can’t surely argue with that with each set of fans thinking it’ll be their side to take the trophy in May.
There’s a long way to go, though, but our Arsenal fans are certainly confident in their side this season after a strong start.
Our landlord isn’t so sure, though, and thinks these five reasons highlight exactly why they will not win their first title since 2004.
Striking issues
It’s all looking rosy for Arsenal going forward at the moment but there’s an inevitable set of question marks over them.
Firstly, Olivier Giroud came on against Sunderland and scored but he’ll no doubt go off the boil at some point this season.
Secondly, with Alexis Sanchez starting up front the Gunners had been looking okay but there are suggestions it could come to a halt.
They drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough with him there and couldn’t put the Black Cats away until Giroud came on. It’s something Wenger needs to think about.
Questions about mental strength
Arsenal are flying at the moment but then, they always do at this point in the season.
It’s when the going gets rough the Gunners seem to crumble and that will be at the back of everyone’s mind until the end of the campaign.
If it happens again with a squad that people feel is the most mature Arsenal one in years they’ve got a real issue on their hands.
Tough games to come
Arsenal have only faced two of their title rivals, both at home.
They lost to Liverpool on the opening day and beat Chelsea whilst they’ve gone about winning the games you’d expect them to otherwise.
November sees them play Tottenham and Manchester United whilst they still need to face all of their title rivals away from home and Manchester City twice so we can’t gauge them just yet.
Injury record
Arsenal always seem to get a fair amount of injuries to key players during the season, so who is to say that won’t happen again?
Aaron Ramsey has spent time out and is only just coming back whilst Francis Coquelin has been injured too.
We’ve seen Jack Wilshere recover nicely at Bournemouth so there must be something going on at Arsenal to put their players at risk.
Better sides around them
Liverpool blew Arsenal away on the opening day whilst you have to say Manchester City look the most impressive so far.
The Gunners will need to beat them if they are serious about winning the league but if City perform how they can you can’t see anyone, never mind just Arsenal, beating them to the crown.
There’s plenty of obstacles in the way for Arsenal to navigate and this is the biggest of all.
Think you’ll win the league Arsenal fans? Let us know below…
