Arsenal are leading the way in the Premier League title race and it's time to take them seriously(Image: Ryan Pierse)

Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane are wrong about Arsenal title narrative and Man City know it

Arsenal news as time for the narrative of the Premier League title race begins to swing in the Gunners' favour after their sensational start to December

08 Dec 2023, 06:30 by Josh Holland · football.london

Arsenal are top of the Premier League and leading the way heading into Christmas. The Gunners have enjoyed a perfect start to December and they are more than good for it.

Fifteen games into the 2023/24 campaign and Mikel Arteta's men are two points better off than they were last year. However, one similarity this time around is the slow nature of Manchester City's threat.

After the same number of games last season, the Citizens had 32 points. This year they have 30. Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa means it is now four games since City last one in the league, seeing them fall down to fourth place for the first time since they won 2-0 at West Ham in the opening game of last season.

So, should we expect Man City to progress through the gears after Christmas and surpass Arsenal? Probably. But, unlike last year, there's a better feeling about Arsenal and their chances of winning their first league title since 2004.

As we saw against Luton Town this week, the Gunners are finding ways to win when far from their best, a formula that won't be efficient for the remaining 23 games, but a welcome one for now. Their lead at the top now means that City and Liverpool are chasing them.

If we're being honest, City have been favourites to win the title since the first ball was kicked at Turf Moor in August. Even in October, pundits were backing them to comfortably retain their crown.

Jamie Carragher tipped them to be champions after their 3-0 Manchester derby win against United. "I've got the feeling with City when I was coming up against Gary [Neville] and Roy [Keane], where even if Manchester United in years go by weren't top at this stage, it's almost if they are getting ready for the second half of the season," he told Sky Sports.

"That today, a big game, put on a show to let people know how good they are, they are still the team to beat. I think they'll win the league comfortably this season, I do! I don't think Liverpool are quite ready to mount a serious challenge.

"Arsenal, of course did that last season, and even though they've made a good start, I don't think they are playing as well as this time last season, so I don't think everything is 100 percent there."

Carragher even claimed that the only way we'll see a new champion is if Man City fail to reach the levels we've seen before. He told The Telegraph: "The only way Liverpool – or anyone else – can win the Premier League is if Manchester City wobble.

"City’s recent defeats by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal have given the rest a glimmer of hope. If Liverpool are in a position to take advantage, that is beyond the pre-season expectations. Arsenal are considered the most likely to pip City. Are Arsenal better than Liverpool? We will know by Christmas."

Roy Keane has also had his say on the title race, insisting that Arsenal "can compete and beat" Man City, despite being six points clear. The narrative that Arsenal are Man City's biggest competitors has to stop.

Right now, City and Liverpool are the competitors. For the last two years, City have been the team to beat. Now, it's Arsenal and people have to accept that.

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