At the beginning of the season, Arsenal was considered the least favored among the three competing clubs for the Premier League title. However, there are five reasons to believe that the Gunners could lift the silverware at the end of this season.

1. Solid Defense

Arsenal currently boasts the most solid defense in the Premier League 2023/24 season, having conceded only 26 goals so far. William Saliba and Gabriel have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the defense, providing remarkable assurance for Arsenal. Additionally, the Gunners have the outstanding David Raya guarding their goal. The Spanish goalkeeper has kept 13 clean sheets this season and is in contention for the Golden Glove award. Upfront, Arsenal also has a reliable Declan Rice, operating as a quality ‘sweeper.’

2. Playing Time

Compared to Manchester City and Liverpool, Arsenal faces a tougher fixture list, encountering many strong opponents. However, there’s a small yet crucial detail that few have noticed: Arsenal will play Manchester City and Liverpool before them. Their recent victory against Wolves propelled the Gunners to the top of the Premier League, edging ahead of Manchester City by one point.

If they defeat Chelsea in the upcoming showdown on the early morning of April 24th, Arsenal will temporarily extend their lead over Manchester City to 4 points and Liverpool to 3 points. Being ahead in the schedule gives Arsenal a much-needed psychological edge, allowing them to exert significant pressure on Manchester City and Liverpool, especially if they secure victories.

3. Goal Difference Advantage

Arsenal holds an advantage by playing their direct rivals first.

When all three contenders are tied on points, goal difference becomes a significant advantage for Arsenal. Currently, the Gunners boast a goal difference of +51, surpassing both Liverpool (+43) and Manchester City (+44). This means that if the clubs finish level on points at the end of the season, Arsenal would clinch the title due to their superior goal difference.

According to Premier League regulations, goal difference is the first tiebreaker when clubs are level on points, followed by other criteria such as head-to-head record or total goals scored.

4. Manchester City’s Fatigue

Manchester City is currently experiencing a period of physical fatigue.

As the Premier League enters its final stages, signs of weary legs are starting to emerge. This is evident in Manchester City’s performances against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg, followed by their match against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final. Similarly, Liverpool has shown signs of fatigue, despite their recent 3-1 victory over Fulham.

5. Liverpool’s Slump

In their last 5 matches across all competitions, Liverpool has suffered 2 defeats, drawn 1, and won 2. Specifically in the Premier League, they have only won 1 out of their last 3 matches, which was against Fulham recently. Overall, Liverpool’s recent performances raise concerns, as their defense has become shaky and their attack lacks sharpness. This presents significant opportunities for both Arsenal and Manchester City. Looking at the current landscape, Arsenal still holds an advantage over Liverpool, at least in terms of their position on the league table.