A strong start but are cracks showing? Arsenal in the media

Are Arsenal showing the signs of title contenders? We may have been sunk by a single Van Persie goal at Old Trafford Sunday before last, ending our unbeaten league run and undefeated away streak, but we should come back from the international friendlies full of the confidence we have shown throughout the majority of the season.

Jack Wilshere may have been talking about his own performances on the club website, but the expectations of Arsenal as a whole are now high themselves, as they've set a standard to be carried on.

Overall there is no doubting the unexpected start to the 2013/14 football season that Arsenal have had. I think I speak for all supporters who are feeling more confident than in recent years of a solid campaign.  Whispers had been circulating of invincibility in the league, a feat they conquered exactly ten seasons ago. They might not be able to do that this year, but having lost only two league games, and four for the season so far, it makes for something interesting when these international friendlies are done with. We sit top of the Premier League table, are oozing in confidence, and playing styles of football not seen in an Arsenal side for some time.

In contention with Gareth Bale’s move to Madrid, Mesut Ozil’s transfer to Arsenal was considered the signing of the summer. His quality has certainly helped to bring out the best in the likes of Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, and even Giroud has proved a little more deadly with help of the German assist-master. Club legend and one of our former invincibles, Robert Pires, revealed on Tribal Football that Ozil’s “quality” and “experience” at Madrid give Arsenal are shot at the title race this year.

The Mirror Online were quick to make us title contenders further after Ozil’s debut against Sunderland. Steve Simmons and Matt Law write the club even then “served notice that they deserve acclaim as potential champions”, adding of the improved performances of Ramsey seeking a place in what has proven to be a rather exciting looking midfield.

Eurosport believe this is the Gunners’ year too, showing an example of the side’s ability against Swansea where “their big players stepped up and bang, bang, bang, the game was over. Any team who have the ability to do that consistently will always be title contenders”.

On the other hand, former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen has made it no secret that he doesn’t feel our club will be champions come May. Writing in The Telegraph he says, “They will not end the season as champions” with still work needed on their defensive play. Hansen adds, “their critical is that they are just not good enough when they do not have the ball.”

So what’s it like in the camp itself? As much as confidence is high, Mikel Arteta played down talk of comparisons to that of the 2003/04 side. He told Sky Sports, “I don't think we are at that level yet, but competition makes everyone work harder so it is a great thing because it raises the level” but feels firmly about Ozil’s arrival as a “great message from the club.”

We do look good, but for how long they can maintain their class is anyone’s guess as we head into Arsenal’s dreaded winter period - if history tells you much. They were unfortunate in their losses to Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United while a weakened side saw them go out of the Capital One Cup to Chelsea. 

But we proved to be too much for Liverpool who, if they can keep things going, will certainly be in contention as well next May. If we can keep the quality, get the likes of Podolski, Ox and Walcott back from injury and defeat the lesser sides who we’ve struggled to get results against in previous years, then we’ll have the points to prove the big club we know we are.

The league returns on Saturday (23/11) with Arsenal at home to high flying Southampton at the Emirates (3pm kick off). 

Who's number 1? Oh yeah