��������

MANCHESTER, England:

Arsenal are back in familiar territory at the top of the English Premier League. But can Mikel Arteta finally get the job done?

After only eight games, no one at the Emirates will be celebrating yet, although this season looks like Arsenal's best chance to win the title for the first time since 2004.

With a three-point lead over second-placed Manchester City and a four-point advantage over defending champions Liverpool, Arsenal's title-winning credentials have been laid out early.

And having overcome a challenging start to the season with games against Manchester United, Liverpool, City and Newcastle, the Londoners are still flying high.

But we've been here before. Three straight seasons as runners-up have raised questions about Arsenal's ability to get over the line. Especially having led the standings for much of the way in 2022-23 and 2023-24 only to be pipped by City in the run in.

Perhaps most disappointing was last season when manager Arteta wasn't able to take advantage of a City team that went into freefall, and instead watched as Arne Slot lifted the title in his first year at Liverpool.

Since then more money has been spent on stellar signings like Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi to give Arsenal arguably the most balanced squad in the top flight.

Nine clean sheets in 12 games in all competitions, including four in a row, is evidence of Arsenal's formidable defence. The 4-0 rout of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday pointed to their attacking power, too, and was a sixth straight win.

On Sunday comes the test of last season's FA Cup winner Crystal Palace, who have already beaten Liverpool and drawn at Chelsea this term. It is a potential stumbling block, which if overcame, will only strengthen the belief that Arsenal's time has come.

KEY MATCHUPS

After back-to-back wins in the league for the first time as Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim is looking to make it three in a row against Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday.

It is one thing to turn up against big rivals like Liverpool, it is another to produce consistent performances week in, week out and that has been a problem for United dating back to before Amorim's arrival last year. For instance, Brighton has won at Old Trafford in three years running, so the dangers are clear.

Liverpool are back to winning ways after a 5-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League and travel to Brentford on Saturday. City are at a resurgent Aston Villa, having lost at Villa Park for the last two seasons.