The buzz around Arsenal continued to grow over the weekend as Mikel Arteta's side secured the league double over their North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
It is their biggest lead at the top since they last clinched the title with their 'Invincibles' in 2003-04, and with Manchester City slipping up with more regularity than usual and Liverpool a far cry from the team we have seen in recent seasons, there is genuine belief that this could potentially be Arsenal's year after all.
However, the Gunners still have more than half of their games to play and have not yet faced the champions this season, so an air of caution is still prevalent amongst their supporters.
Here, the Sports Mole discuss whether they believe Arteta's men will get their hands on the Premier League trophy this term.
Barney Corkhill, Editor
© Reuters
Arsenal do look more and more convincing as each week goes by, and with each win - particularly significant ones like the derby win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday - their belief, momentum and confidence will keep growing and growing.
The Gunners have already beaten Spurs (twice), Liverpool and Chelsea this season and, while none of those teams has exactly enjoyed stellar campaigns themselves, they are big scalps nonetheless.
That said, they have not yet beaten any other team currently in the top four and, with both Manchester clubs to come in the next month, in addition to an FA Cup tie with Manchester City, it could be a make-or-break month for Mikel Arteta's side.
Arsenal teams of the past have crumbled around this time of year and most are waiting for it to happen again; it has not happened so far, but with those difficult games it is still a bit too early to make any cast-iron judgements.
It is also important to remember that we are still not even halfway through the season, and the World Cup break means that being top in mid-January does not carry quite as much weight this year as it has in previous years, even with an eight-point lead.
Arsenal have so far answered pretty much every question that has been asked of them and they have earned the right to be spoken about as title candidates - probably even title favourites with their significant eight-point lead and Manchester City well off their usual standard.
However, with a long way still to go, a number of disciplinary flashpoints which suggest some pressure is already getting to the players and the manager, and their toughest matches still ahead of them, at this point I would still be backing Man City to lift the title.
Should Arsenal beat the champions at the Emirates on February 15, though, I may begin to change my mind.
Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter
© Reuters
Understandably, Arsenal fans are beginning to believe that they can go on to win their first Premier League title since the 'Invincibles' triumph 19 years ago. Losing just one of their 18 league games so far is a huge achievement and Mikel Arteta deserves all the plaudits that come his way.
However, maintaining their strong run of form in the second half of the season may be a tall order. Aside from possibly Newcastle United, the Gunners are yet to have their blip in form this term and that will surely come at some stage between now and May.
Squad depth in certain areas is also a slight cause for concern. In the goalless draw against Newcastle, Arteta had limited options on his bench to come on and change the game for his side, and they ultimately dropped two points. Missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk is a blow and failing to bolster their squad this month may come back to haunt them.
In addition, Arsenal's nearest challengers are a side with vast title-race experience, winning four of the last five top-flight titles, and who boast arguably one of the greatest-ever Premier League squads – Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola's men have picked up more points at this stage of the season (39) compared with the 2013-14 and 2020-21 campaigns (38) when they went on to lift the title on both occasions. They also clawed back an eight-point gap with just six games remaining to win the 2011-12 title on goal difference at the expense of rivals Manchester United, so the Citizens have reason to be optimistic with 20 games still to play.
If they can put together one of their stunning winning runs like they have done in previous title-winning campaigns, Man City may just pip Arsenal to the post.
Joel Lefevre, Reporter
© Reuters
Throughout the Premier League campaign, I feel as though everyone had written off Arsenal saying that their sparkling form would eventually cool down.
With 20 matches remaining and an eight-point cushion the Gunners winning the title is looking quite possible.
However, I'm not ready to crown them champions just yet, as I have seen how Man City always turn it on domestically in the second half of the campaign, plus the Gunners still have to face them twice.
There's also an in-form Man United squad upcoming, so the pressure will mount in the coming weeks, but if Arsenal can maintain their eight-point lead by mid-February after their home outing with the Citizens then I would be willing to lock them up as the Premier League winners.
For the moment though I am going to stick with Man City because while it's unusual to see them facing a deficit at the top of the table, they have been in the must-win position many a times over previous campaigns and never blinked. I'm not sure how many of these Gunners will respond to that sort of pressure.
Andrew Delaney, Reporter
© Reuters
No, there are still 20 games left to play for them and Man City, and the champions have come back from even bigger deficits before.
Arsenal still have to face City twice and that could be a six-point swing in City's favour, while no side in world football are as capable at going on long winning streaks than Pep Guardiola's side.
This Arsenal team are not accustomed to the pressure that comes with every game once it gets to final few weeks of a title race campaign and their ability to deal with that will be heavily tested.
Barney Corkhill
