Arsenal have made an impressive start to the new season, sitting top of the Premier League after eight games played so far, registering seven wins. Victory in the North London Derby over Tottenham at the weekend has only continued their forward momentum - inflicting a first defeat of the league season to their rivals too.
Their start has led to many suggesting they could be title contenders this campaign, but manager Mikel Arteta has been coy in any such discussion so far. If there were to challenge, they would have to face off against champions Manchester City, who have found some goal scoring form as of late.
Despite that, former defender William Gallas believes they can challenge, telling Genting Casino: "What Arsenal need to do is keep believing in their quality and, if they approach their matches with this desire and level of intensity, then they can compete with any club in the league. Arsenal need to keep doing this.
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"They need to take this approach into their next game against Liverpool, which will be another big test, but if they can produce the same football with the same intensity then they will have a great opportunity to beat Liverpool."
That point of view doesn't quite line up with some other football pundits though, who have thrown doubt over whether Arsenal could sustain a title challenge. Alan Shearer is one of those, writing for the BBC last month: "[Manchester City] are still the team to beat. I still think Arsenal's main target is a return to the top four for the first time since 2016, and they have not done too much wrong so far."
Similar was said from Gary Neville on Sky Sports after the Gunners' defeat to Manchester United, claiming they may "sneak" into the top four rather than challenge for first: "I think Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham will be the top three. I think it's a big battle between Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United. I think Liverpool, you think they are going to come good just because of what they have done in the last few years. I think United will struggle to get in the top four, personally."
It remains to be seen who will be right when it comes to their predictions, with there still being plenty of games left to play this season. However, with an October full of fixtures, the upcoming challenge could put Arsenal's title credentials to the test before the World Cup break.
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