Arsenal and Manchester City are battling it out at the top of the Premier League as Mikel Arteta goes toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola.
The Gunners have dropped just five points in the Premier League so far this season after suffering a defeat against Manchester United and drawing against Southampton. Arteta's side remains unbeaten at the Emirates Stadium in all competitions, with Arsenal turning their home back into a fortress as teams now fear heading to north London.
Man City remains just two points behind the Gunners despite their impressive campaign so far as Guardiola's side aim to retain their Premier League title and lift the trophy for a fifth time in six seasons. Liverpool have been City's main competitor domestically over the past five years, but Arsenal looks to have replaced Jurgen Klopp's side as their main challenger this season.
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The Gunners are reaping the rewards from sticking with Arteta at the end of last season when the north London outfit missed out on qualifying for the UEFA Champions League as they were pipped to a top-four spot by fierce rivals Tottenham. This season, the main aim for Arsenal is to return to club football's elite European competition, but they have found themselves locked in a title fight with the champions.
Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray has urged Arsenal fans to remain cautiously optimistic. He thinks that the Gunners should be judged on their own achievements rather than judge them against reigning champions City. The ex-Brighton ace told BBC Radio 5 Live, via The Metro: "Arsenal are where they are for a reason, and I think we are disrespecting the group to a certain extent by constantly mentioning Manchester City.
"I believe that Manchester City will stand the test of time, they'll be there for the full duration, and it's just a question of whether this young Arsenal side can remain where they are until the end of the campaign. It's progress.
"When Mikel Arteta came into the football club, it was all about making them better and getting the squad age down and starting something new, and he is doing that. It's a process, and every year they are getting better and better and better, and if they finish in the top four, it will be progression, even though right now you wouldn't see it that way because of how they are doing. A top-four finish and Champions League football would be progression for this Arsenal squad."
Whilst many feel that Arsenal may begin to fall away from the top of the Premier League towards the end of the season, they are showing signs of significant improvement this season. Impressive results against Spurs and Liverpool, along with gritty performances against Fulham and Aston Villa, show that the Gunners have turned a corner as they target a return to the Champions League and potentially a trophy win.
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