These are heady times for Arsenal. It would have been significant enough that Sunday’s 2–0 victory over Tottenham was its first away in the league in the North London derby since 2014, but in combination with Manchester City’s defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday, it took Arsenal eight points clear at the top of the table. There are still 20 games to go, but as the leaders approach the halfway point of the league season, that is a very significant lead.
Concerns remain about the depth of Arsenal’s squad, particularly after it was gazumped by Chelsea for the signing of the Ukrainian wonderkid Mykhailo Mudryk. With Gabriel Jesus probably out for another couple of months, there is a clear lack of options in forward areas. There are reports now of interest in Raphinha, whose move to Barcelona from Leeds has not worked out. Emile Smith Rowe finally made his first appearance of the season in the FA Cup win over Oxford United on Monday after recovering from surgery in his groin, and came off the bench in stoppage time Sunday. He at least adds some cover but, still, it would only take a couple of injuries in key positions for Arsenal to be severely weakened.
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