Last season, I was so confident Arsenal would fail to make the top four that I vowed to buy a shirt with ‘Arteta 8’ on the back if they did and plaster pictures of me wearing it all over social media.
To be fair, it’s not a chance I’m willing to take this time out after seeing the start they have made. But just as I’m happy to concede they could well qualify for the Champions League next May, I’m also willing to stick my neck on the line right now and tell all those Gooners who think they will be challenging for the title after five wins from five that they simply have no chance.
The smart money is on Manchester City to win the Premier League by anything between nine and 15 points. And history tells me that Arsenal won’t be anywhere near them at the pointy end of the season.
