For a lot of Arsenal followers, there can be a way of deja vu. Main the Premier League at Christmas earlier than being eaten up by a relentless Pep Guardiola facet is one thing the Gunners have gotten slightly bit used to.

Seeing a seven-point lead over Manchester Metropolis lower to 2 within the area of 5 video games will not precisely fill them with confidence both.

“We’re again on high of the desk however we’re not watching Metropolis an excessive amount of, or the opposite groups,” mentioned Bukayo Saka. “We’re in management now. We all know if we win each week we’ll keep there.”

Arteta added: “The one factor we are able to management is our personal efficiency and outcomes and we all know how lengthy it should be and the way powerful is that this league. That is it.”

Manchester Metropolis have clearly bought historical past on their facet. Guardiola has received the Premier League title six instances, the Bundesliga 3 times with Bayern Munich and La Liga 3 times with Barcelona. Arteta has no league titles as a supervisor.

Guardiola’s squad are stuffed with Premier League winners, gamers who know what it takes to finish a marketing campaign robust, whereas not one of the Arsenal squad have received a Premier League – however have skilled shedding leads over the previous few seasons.

Why cannot this season be totally different although? Manchester Metropolis look removed from the relentless facet they’ve in earlier seasons – and have already misplaced 4 video games this marketing campaign, in comparison with Arsenal‘s two losses.

“We can be there. In the event that they observe me we can be there however now we have to enhance,” mentioned Guardiola.

“I do know the extent in Europe, within the Premier League, I do know Arsenal and the opposite groups and the way powerful they’re. It isn’t sufficient.

“The spirit is there, final season we didn’t have the spirit or aggression or starvation – all of the attributes they want. It isn’t concerning the highlights and the way good the actions are, there’s something that comes from inside the place we’ll get better from the Membership World Cup.”

Metropolis’s assault is flowing, having scored 10 extra targets than Arsenal, however having additionally conceded six extra – you’re feeling the title race might be outlined by whether or not Metropolis’s targets can outshine Arsenal‘s solidity.