It was more than two decades ago during the iconic Invincible season that Arsenal last lifted the Premier League trophy.
The years since have been fraught with inconsistency, struggle and, at times, mediocrity.
Now, at last, the Gunners have what looks like a side ready to lift English football’s most coveted prize.
They’re currently five points clear of second-placed Manchester City at the top of the table and in pole position to lift the trophy come the end of the season.
Yet achieving that dream is far from a formality. Mikel Arteta‘s men have stumbled before – three consecutive runners-up finishes is evidence of this – and could easily do so once more.
But which of those sides trailing Arsenal could pose the biggest threat to their hopes of winning the Premier League title? Daily Mail Sport takes a look.
Arsenal currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table – but can anyone catch them?
Mikel Arteta has the best chance of his Arsenal tenure to bring the trophy to the Emirates
Arsenal
Squad
There’s little doubting now that Arteta has assembled the top flight’s strongest squad. A summer transfer window in which the Gunners recruited stars such as Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke added to an already title-challenging team.
Their back four, the best statistically in the Premier League, is formidable and hardly struggles even during an injury crisis. Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera’s performances against Chelsea on Sunday in the absence of William Saliba and Gabriel were nothing if not evidence of this.
A trio of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Eze (or Martin Odegaard, if you like) is perfectly balanced and unlikely to lose any midfield battle.
While Viktor Gyokeres, though yet to settle, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke up front will provide the goals where it counts. That’s without even mentioning valuable squad players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri.
Manager
There were many Arsenal fans calling for Arteta’s head at more than one point during his early years at the Emirates helm – and they had good reason to do so. The Spaniard led the club to two eighth-placed and then a fifth-placed finish in his first three seasons in charge.
But there are now few managers with a more secure job in the Premier League than the former Arsenal and Everton midfielder. He’s moulded a side which, if not always the prettiest, can win games in a multitude of ways. Whether that be via a long throw-in, a moment of magic or an intricate bit of play on the edge of the box.
What he’ll ultimately be judged on when the dust settles is his success or failure to win the title and, in truth, he may not get a better chance than right now.
William Saliba and Gabriel are a formidable duo at the heart of the Gunners’ defence
In front of them, the north London club have a side with few weaknesses and a wealth of options
In big games…
Arteta has faced scrutiny over his pragmatic tactics in fixtures against the so-called Big Six. Namely, after the Gunners’ 1-0 loss to a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick earlier this season.
But since then Arsenal haven’t lost against the league’s strongest sides. A 1-1 draw against Man City, a 4-1 win over north London rivals Spurs and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea have followed. Oh, and not to forget their opening day 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Title-race know how
Though far from inexperienced in terms of title races, the Gunners have never got over the line.
Last season Liverpool were superior, as were Man City the campaign before.
But it was three seasons ago that Arteta’s side let slip an eight-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s men, winning just two of their final eight matches and ultimately finishing two points behind the title-winners.
Those are demons which the north London club will have to bury heading into the final months of this campaign.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s performance against Arsenal yesterday made them genuine title contenders in some people’s eyes
The Blues’ squad boasts a wealth of talent all over the pitch, but perhaps a lack of experience
Squad
For a club whose transfer strategy has come under scrutiny in recent years, the Blues actually look very strong right now with a host of talent to choose from. As we know, Todd Boehly is obsessed with signing potential rather than the finished product – but that at last seems to be paying off.
Robert Sanchez has been vastly improved in goal after a dire year last term, while Enzo Maresca’s back four has conceded a mere 12 league goals all season.
Their midfield of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, despite his red card on Sunday, is second to only Arsenal’s in the Premier League.
If nothing else, the fact Chelsea have performed so well in the absence of their best player, Cole Palmer, speaks volumes about the strength of their squad.
Manager
For sections of the Chelsea fanbase, there were question marks about Maresca at the end of last season. His football, in particular, has come under scrutiny.
However the Italian’s triumph at last summer’s Club World Cup only endeared him to the club’s west London supporters. After all, we all know how much they love letting everyone know they’re ‘world champions’.
Can Maresca’s Chelsea genuinely challenge for the title? I think that’s doubtful, but I wouldn’t totally write them off.
Enzo Maresca’s Club World Cup win in the summer endeared him to a lot of Chelsea fans
The west London club prefer to sign players under the age of 25 – but it seems to be coming off this term
In big games…
The Blues have been impressive against the league’s best so far this season.
They’ve won two, drawn one and been defeated on just a solitary occasion. That loss, of course, caveated by the fact that Sanchez was dismissed within the opening 10 minutes at Old Trafford.
Chelsea’s performance against the league leaders yesterday lifted them in many viewers’ estimations. Maresca’s side were dogged and determined, so much so that post-match the general consensus was that Arsenal should be pleased with a point. That’s a credit to a side who played the majority with 10 men.
Title race know-how
If there’s one thing this inexperienced Chelsea side lacks it’s experience where it matters, in a title race.
They’ve largely been competing for a European spot in recent years and, with the majority of their team aged under 30 – even 25 – don’t have a host of players who have been there, done that.
Can’t help but feel a title charge might be one step too far for this Chelsea side.
Manchester City
Erling Haaland has been in blistering form so far this season for Manchester City
The Cityzens’ side is one in transition after the losses of Kevin de Bruyne and Ederson in the summer
Squad
Far different to City sides of years gone by, this team feels like it’s one in transition. It’s still incredibly strong, don’t get me wrong, but not the finished article.
The hierarchy at the Etihad signed a host of extremely talented young players in the summer – Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait Nouri to name a few – to replace stalwarts such as Kevin de Bruyne who had departed.
While City have shown glimpses of what they’re capable of on a number of occasions, they haven’t quite found the consistency which they were so famed for in their pomp. Surprising losses against Newcastle United and Aston Villa, for example, have halted their progress.
You however wouldn’t put it past them to mount a nine or 10-game winning run after Christmas. As we know, anything is possible with a certain Norwegian up front.
Manager
For the first time in his illustrious career, it felt as though some began to doubt the great Guardiola last season. In particular during his side’s dismal pre-Christmas run, some began to ponder whether football’s greatest ever manager had lost his magic.
Such shouts were, and are, obviously premature. The main reason City could pip Arsenal to the title this season is their Spanish boss.
Six Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups and one Champions League read Guardiola’s City stats. Write him off at your peril.
Pep Guardiola was beginning to be written off in some quarters last season – perhaps prematurely
In big games…
Two wins, one draw and one loss read City’s results against the Big Six this season. A pretty handy return.
Most recently, their resounding 3-0 victory against Premier League champions Liverpool showcased Guardiola’s side at their best.
Title race know-how
Perhaps the main reason City are still some people’s favourites for the title is their experience at the right end of the table.
As I already mentioned, they’ve won six titles under Guardiola and know how to get the job done at the business end of the season.
If one team’s to challenge the Gunners, you’d have to put your money on City.
Liverpool
Squad
Having spent £450million on a league-winning squad in the summer, many expected Arne Slot’s side to walk their way to the title this season, but that’s been far from the case.
The Reds’ new recruits simply haven’t hit the ground running and, concerningly, look a shadow of the players they were at their former clubs. Florian Wirtz looks timid, Alexander Isak leggy, Milos Kerkez a ‘little boy’, Jeremie Frimpong lightweight and even Hugo Ekitike has suffered a dip in form in recent weeks.
Liverpool’s win at West Ham on Sunday afternoon eased the pressure building on Arne Slot
Both Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz looked somewhere near their best, at last
It was Cody Gakpo who scored the second, and crucial goal, which sealed the win
On top of that, Mo Salah has dropped off a cliff and their centre-back pairing, Ibrahim Konate and Virgil van Dijk, look all at sea.
After a dreadful run of nine losses in 12 games, Slot managed a win on the weekend against West Ham United and a crucial one at that. The Dutchman will too have been pleased to see Wirtz and Isak performing somewhere near their best.
Surely their struggles are going to improve in the coming weeks but are nine points too many to make up on Arsenal? I would probably say so.
Manager
It’s almost incredible that in the past week some Liverpool fans have called for Slot, who won the title in his first season at Anfield just a few months ago, to be sacked. But here we are.
No manager is exempt from pressure and the former Feyenoord boss will be more than aware that his side’s form has been unacceptable.
However a few wins before Christmas and the heat on Slot could ease drastically. A couple of weeks is a long time in football.
In big games…
The Reds’ only win against any of the Big Six this season came what feels like a lifetime ago when they beat Arsenal at the Etihad.
Since then, Slot’s side have suffered defeats against Chelsea, Man United and most recently Man City.
They face a trip to Tottenham Hotspur, who are also out of form, before Christmas.
Title race know-how
For all of their struggles, this Liverpool side is one boasting a wealth of experience. There isn’t much Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Co haven’t seen.
It would however now take something pretty remarkable for the Anfield club to turn their fortunes around.
You never know, and don’t write the champions off totally, but it’s a steep task.