Arsenal is asked prior to every match to prove its title credentials even as pundits’ contenders falter. What do they need to do? They have played the most beautiful of attacking football, smashed a number of teams and have looked efficient and effective all round. Not just in England, but in Europe too. Yes, the team may have frailties. So do all other teams. All the picks of pundits have shown vulnerability in the course of the season. There is City’s weak defence and inability to perform away from the Etihad, Chelsea’s striking problems, Spurs poor goal scoring return and United’s midfield and defensive issues. Yet they are all title contenders. What is admirable about Arsenal is that they have achieved what they have in the absence of some key players: Chamberlain, Podolski, Walcott and Cazorla. Surely that should say something about their ability? With the form they have shown and some of the performances they have put up, why should their credentials be based on a result against a United team which is just waking up to assert itself
It may be early days but the positions of teams like Arsenal, Liverpool and Southampton are no fluke. They have earned their place and are proving their credentials. They will be in the mix this season. It is the teams so heavily tipped by pundits that have a lot of proving to do. Until they do so, reference to them as contenders may only reflect the failure of pundits to spot “the other contenders”.
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