For a long time it has seemed as though it was simply a case of Manchester City hunting Arsenal down - but after the weekend's results, there's now a chasing pack forming behind the Gunners.
Arsenal are the clear favourites as they pulled out an eight-point lead over Manchester City - with the pair winning and losing their respective derbies. City's defeat to Manchester United brought them closer into the mix - with a point separating the noisy neighbours.
And then there is Newcastle. Eddie Howe's side keep on finding victories - this week a 1-0 win over Fulham - and are keeping pace with the big guns. They are level with the Red Devils on 38 points to spilt the Manchester rivals in the table.
So are Newcastle and/or Manchester United realistically in the title race or is it a straight shootout between Arsenal and City? And was Gary Neville right in asserting both Manchester clubs will finish about the Gunners? Mirror Football's writers have debated the topic...
John Cross
This is the most exciting title race for years because there’s a new name involved and it’s still wide open.
Manchester United’s incredible winning streak - nine across all competitions - must make them serious contenders, particularly if they win at Arsenal next Sunday.
The job Erik ten Hag has done is nothing short of remarkable in the way he has galvanised the whole club and moulded a team from an unbalanced, strange-looking squad.
I can’t see Newcastle being serious contenders but I do think they can finish top four. They are so good defensively but do struggle for goals. But that’s still an incredible season for Eddie Howe.
JOIN THE DEBATE: Are Man Utd and Newcastle in the title race? Who are you backing to come out on top? Have your say here
Arsenal have been by far and away the best team in the Premier League. They’re playing their best football for 20 years and riding the crest of a wave. Mikel Arteta has revolutionised the whole club.
I’m staggered by Man City this season. I thought they’d win the title comfortably. But it’s their failings, slip-ups and shortcomings which have opened the door for the rest.
You’d still not back against City roaring back with ten straight wins. But something is clearly not right and until Pep Guardiola rediscovers the right balance then others can seize the opportunity. Arsenal have to be favourites now. But United are well and truly in the race.
Andy Dunn
If Manchester United get many more decisions similar to the one that gifted them a way back into their most recent derby then they will certainly gatecrash the title race.
Joking aside, Erik ten Hag’s side are already in the battle for the Premier League crown, having developed a level of consistency that means they will lose very few matches between now and the end of the season.
The same goes for Newcastle United but Eddie Howe’s playing resources are probably not as deep as those enjoyed by Ten Hag and by Pep Guardiola, and that is why they are the outsiders - big outsiders, in my opinion - in a fight that has four contenders.
But Ten Hag’s team will, along with City, mount a serious challenge to Arsenal, whose confidence is growing by the week.
On what basis Gary Neville believes both City and United will finish above Arsenal is a touch unclear.
Mikel Arteta’s men have all the momentum, all the confidence, all the ability and all the organisation to see this title challenge through.
James Nursey
I really like the look of Arsenal and expect them to go on and clinch a memorable title.
But I think it could go down to the final day and Manchester United and Newcastle's form mean they must both be taken very seriously as contenders. The biggest surprise has been Manchester City's wobbles as Pep Guardiola's title-winners show signs of fragility.
But there are few if any chinks in Arsenal's armour right now as Eddie Nketiah continues to deputise ably for the injured Gabriel Jesus upfront.
I reported on and followed Leicester closely when they won the title in 2015/2016. They were unfancied at the start of the season with bookmakers and regularly written off but they kept on grinding out results as they were remarkably solid at the back, efficient upfront and hungry.
Arsenal seem to have got the same mentality and their players are definitely going the extra mile in search of silverware. I was in the tunnel doing some interviews after they won at Wolves in their final game before the international break.
I was amazed at some of the post-match strength and conditioning work I saw the likes of Saka and Ramsdale doing. Throw in Mikel Arteta's drive, focus and dedication and Arsenal will take some stopping.
Alan Smith
Yes. Arsenal will only reach the midpoint of their campaign on Sunday when Man United come to the Emirates. If Erik ten Hag’s team win that and also beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday, the gap would be down to three points - although the Gunners would have a game in hand.
Arsenal dealt with the pressure of the Spurs game easily but it is mid-January and the heat of April is an entirely different matter. The biggest test they face is a mental one and because of that it would be foolish to rule United out.
Newcastle, on the other hand, still have a lack of squad depth and know-how - unless they spend big in the rest of the window. It will be a shock if they miss out on top four but a title win still seems outlandish.
Alex Richards
Can Manchester United gatecrash the Premier League title race? We'll soon have our answer.
Win at the Emirates this weekend and it's game on. So much better now then they were at the season's beginning and with Marcus Rashford in red hot form, perhaps they can storm through in the second half of the season and take the crown.
But Arsenal are so good right now and you just expect City to, at some point, rattle off a run of 14 straight wins. For my money, United, nine points off top currently, must win this weekend to get themselves into contention.
Are Newcastle in the mix? Howe's men have lost only once in the league so far this season and defensively have been outstanding, conceding just 11, the best in the division.
But do they score enough goals? Comparatively to Arsenal and Man City, that's a clear no, but they've actually scored four more than United despite injuries to the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and record-signing Alexander Isak. So if Ten Hag's men are in contention, then why not the Magpies?
Perhaps over the course of the season, all those draws - no one has drawn more at present - will come back to bite them. But make no mistake, if they don't challenge for the title and *only* finish in the top six, that's still an outstanding campaign.
Freddie Keighley
It was as seismic a Premier League weekend as any in recent memory, with two sensational derbies appearing to shift the momentum of the title race.
First, Manchester City dropped points for the third time in five games with a chastening 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime. Then, the following day, Arsenal outclassed Tottenham to extend their lead to eight points as the season nears its halfway stage.
Do not forget Newcastle, either, who have lost just once this season and dug deep to beat Fulham thanks to a late goal from fit-again Alexander Isak. But will we look back at the weekend just gone in May and view it as a pivotal one in the title race? I suspect not.
Manchester City are still the team to beat this season - whatever the bookmakers reckon - and a derby defeat against an opponent they regularly struggle against does not change that. When Erling Haaland hits form again and Pep Guardiola's side put a run of form together, they will close the gap and familiar faces will lift the trophy.
The expected goals in Tottenham versus Arsenal were actually fairly close and the contrasting performances of Hugo Lloris and Aaron Ramsdale ultimately decided the match. Expect the Gunners to finish an admirable second to City while the Red Devils canter home to an impressive third and Newcastle - who lack the star quality of those around them - can dream of Champions League qualification.
Darren Wells
Manchester United can definitely worm their way into the title race - but they must get a result at Arsenal to show their true credentials.
While their nine-game winning run is impressive, only five of those victories have been in the league and the VAR-assisted win over Man City is the only one you wouldn't have expected.
Erik ten Hag has made progress with his side and they've got a squad littered with experienced winners, but there's still an awful lot for them to do if they are to claim the title - starting with a nine-point gap from the leaders.
Continuing their good run of form can help build momentum over the back half of the season, but defeat to Arsenal at the weekend would be the clearest indication they're not ready to challenge. Even a draw might not be enough to stop the unrelenting Gunners.
Newcastle have been performing above expectations all season but the pressure is beginning to show - top four is the best they can hope for.
Felix Keith
The simple answer is yes.
Manchester United have turned the corner under Erik ten Hag’s management and, as Bruno Fernandes said on Saturday, now look like a proper team.
United have the most in-form striker in the league in the form of Marcus Rashford, one of the best midfielders, in Casemiro, and a defence that has now clicked – even with the captain on the bench.
It is unlikely that Wout Weghorst’s arrival will make a huge impact, but he does offer depth in the position they need it most. A nine-point gap to Arsenal is significant but they can’t be ruled out.
Newcastle, meanwhile, just keep on churning out results. Like Arsenal, they’ve lost just once all season in the league and they have the best defence. The fact their winning goal against Fulham on the weekend was scored by Alexander Isak – a £58million signing many forgot they had made – underlines their growing strength in depth.
The Magpies are still in the Carabao Cup, but that competition concludes soon, and their defeat by Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup means they have less to focus on than their rivals. Also, the financial backing of Saudi Arabia is a pretty handy factor on their side.
Colin Millar
Manchester City are still the title favourites. But only just, and that tag will be a distant memory if they cannot sort out their inconsistencies. They have just six goals in their last eight away matches and one shot on target across their last two.
Yet Pep Guardiola’s side still have to play Arsenal twice, have far greater depth to cope with injuries and a demanding fixture list, along with all the experience of winning titles and the form required to do so.
Arsenal have enjoyed a remarkable season but are only now edging towards the halfway point – being league leaders can be exhausting, and the cumulative time spent at the top of the standings can bring its own fatigue and expectation.
The fixture list, even at this early stage, favours Manchester United and while it is likely they will fall just shy of a title challenge this campaign – their rise under Erik ten Hag is sustainable and with the possibility of new ownership and renewed optimism, expect this to be the new normality at Old Trafford.
Newcastle’s record this season is remarkable; just one defeat – the last kick of the game at Anfield – and the best defensive record in the league. With no European or FA Cup distractions, Eddie Howe’s side may well fancy themselves as dark horses but their issue is that not only are they relying upon Arsenal dropping lots of points, but United and City not going on a prolonged run of victories either.
There is still a long way to go in the season, but the top four are looking more solid than ever – and the most likely switch in their order remains between the current top two.
Kieran King
Manchester United's win over Manchester City has quickly changed the complexion at the top of the table, and Erik ten Hag's side have firm belief that they can beat anyone on their day. But I think winning the title will be a step too far for the Red Devils and the same can be said for Arsenal too, with Pep Guardiola's City still my favourites to win it despite the weekend's results.
Like we are seeing with Chelsea, a series of injuries to key players could derail United and Arsenal's season as they don't have the strength in depth to replace. Arsenal seem short in attacking areas and don't look as potent when Bukayo Saka isn't on the pitch, while United are also struggling for quality up front despite the arrival of Wout Weghorst.
The Dutchman could prove me wrong but two goals in 20 league games for Burnley isn't what United need, and although Weghorst may not have had the greatest service, he was wasteful even when he had the chances. Whereas, City have so much quality and depth and I am still backing them to come through and win the title, with Arsenal second, United third and Newcastle fourth.
Nathan Ridley
Yes, Manchester United and Newcastle can gatecrash the title race - if we're going off what we've seen after only 18 games. This Premier League season is literally like no other, with our perception warped by the winter World Cup. There's such a long way to go for Erik ten Hag and Eddie Howe's sides, including the dreaded Thursday-Sunday routine which both United and Arsenal will soon encounter.
While still the favourites, narrowly, Manchester City are going through a mini transition period, with their minds no doubt on winning an elusive Champions League title come May. Arsenal, like the Red Devils, have shown they're capable of buckling in recent years and Mikel Arteta's men are yet to face any true moments of pressure.
Newcastle are also untested, but underestimate St James' Park at your peril. The title race is wide open.
