If Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was offered a third-place finish in the top-flight this season, he would very likely snap the arms off the benefactor, figuratively speaking of course.
To secure Champions League qualification, while most probably finishing above London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea into the bargain, would represent a significant development leap for the Gunners, one that looked possible last term until their unfortunate late collapse.
To put the achievement in context, it would be Arsenal’s first top four finish since 2016 and unquestionably too, it would propel ‘Project Arteta’ to the next meaningful milestone by re-establishing the club among the continent’s elite.
It's extremely encouraging therefore that the objective already appears to be feasible just a handful of games into the new campaign.
Flying out of the blocks, the North London giants won their opening five games for the first time in 17 years and the manner in which they did so revealed they are a much more rounded proposition this time out to last.
Up front, an exciting and fluid rollcall of attacking talent are balanced in their attributes, with Martin Odegaard clever and forever probing, Gabriel Martinelli thriving as the wild card, while new recruit Gabby Jesus has begun his Arsenal tenure in spectacular fashion.
The Brazilian may not ultimately make it onto our greatest ever strikers list but presently his goals and build-up play are priceless for a side that’s been deprived of an impactful number nine in recent times.
In the middle, Granit Xhaka is a player reborn, energized in a tweaked role that offers greater freedom to roam, while at the back the partnership of Gabriel and Saliba has the potential to become the club’s finest since their ‘Invincibles’ era.
🗣️ 'They've improved their first 11 the most!'
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Across the opening weeks, the duo contained opponents to the second-fewest number of shots in the Premier League and if such parsimony can be sustained, that alone will see Arsenal prosper.
There is also a psychological factor to consider, with a mental fragility for so long a weakness that has led to the Gunners just falling short.
Prior to losing at Old Trafford recently, in a closely fought affair, Arteta’s men had conceded only four from their first five fixtures and it’s highly pertinent that they responded on each occasion within minutes.
There is some resilience now where previously there was doubt. There is steel to go with the silk.
All of these reasons, and more, explain why Arsenal are short-priced in the online betting to attain a top four spot come May but viewing the Premier League as a whole offers up the suggestion that even bigger rewards are up for grabs in 2022/23.
This season is unique in being spilt in two by a World Cup in Qatar and it’s very hard to predict how that will affect the title race at the top and relegation concerns at the bottom.
Furthermore, with Liverpool and Chelsea both currently flailing – at least compared to their usual exceptional standards – that leaves a vacuum around Manchester City, one that can be filled by a club who strengthened well over the summer, one that has been well put together over a period of seasons. In short, a club like Arsenal.
According to the latest Premier League title odds, the Gunners are a distant 10/1 to be crowned as champions by this campaign’s end. That seems fair.
To challenge however, to push City for the duration and reach that next meaningful milestone, is well within their means.
