The wider football punditocracy is slowly waking up to the fact that Arsenal are a good team this season.
To the frustration of fans, Arsenal still have something to prove to the wider Premier League community. There is still a tendency to give Spurs the benefit of the doubt while doubting the Gunners.
However, Arsenal have been on their way to being competitive since last season. The data shows that their start to this season is among the best in league history.
Read: Brendan Rodgers Likely To Be Sacked, Thomas Frank Linked
Over their first eight games, Arsenal have amassed 21 points. The best ever start over the first eight games of the season belongs to Chelsea in 2005, with 24 points.
‘What is nice to see is a team that can compete,’ said legendary striker Thierry Henry.
‘Competing and for me, I always say it’s not because it’s Arsenal or any different team, when you pass Boxing Day and Christmas, it’s going to be different because you have the World Cup, but when you pass January and you’re still up there, competing for the title, then you’re a title contender.
Gabriel Jesus is really changing, not only him, Saliba at the back allows them to play in a back four, so Mikel goes into what Pep does also with City with Zinchenko.’
Read: Alex Iwobi Blossoming Into Central Midfield Leader
As well as Henry, the Gunners have also had a title endorsement from former manager Arsene Wenger. The fans are tentatively speculating about a title challenge, although nobody yet believes they can outperform the ominous Manchester City.
Things are about to change, too. The schedule gets insane from now on and there’s no telling how any team will cope with it. As well as that, if the league is awake to Arsenal, they’re going to find themselves facing some miserly defensive tactics.
The biggest challenges lie ahead, but for the first time in a decade, the Gunners have a team capable of taking them on.
