So, Arsenal and Gabriel Martinelli have put the cat firmly among the pigeons.
Sunday’s win over Manchester City was a pivotal one for Mikel Arteta and Co, both in terms of three points and proving they are capable of beating Pep Guardiola’s treble winners when it matters. And having eased through their first five six league games with maximum points, City suddenly look vulnerable with back-to-back defeats.
Heading into the international break, it’s Tottenham who top the table on goals scored ahead of their north London rivals, after a 1-0 win at Luton maintained their impressive form under Ange Postecoglou. City are just two points further back, and one ahead of Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp’s side were held at Brighton.
Tottenham
Next six Premier League games: Fulham (H), Crystal Palace (A), Chelsea (H), Wolves (A), Aston Villa (H), Manchester City (A).
They couldn’t, could they?
Eight Premier League games into the Postecoglou era, and the new wave of positivity engulfing Tottenham fans isn’t simply attributed to being top of the table. Entertaining football, coupled with a seemingly new-found ability to grind out results in the manner they did at Kenilworth Road, has the Spurs faithful dreaming again.
Following the international break, it’s three successive tricky London derbies for Postecoglou and Co when they face Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Chelsea. Further clashes with Wolves and Villa follow – meaning Spurs have much to do to stay top before a mouthwatering showdown with Manchester City on December 2.
Arsenal
Next six Premier League games:Chelsea (A), Sheffield United (H), Newcastle (A), Burnley (H), Brentford (A), Wolves (H).
Any doubts over whether Arteta’s side possess the mentality go to toe-to-toe with champions City were banished, temporarily at least, by that late win at the Emirates on Sunday.
Trips to an improving Chelsea and Newcastle in their next six games appear the main dangers, with the Gunners otherwise embarking on a favourable run. Home clashes with Sheffield United, Burnley and Wolves need to be targeted, and a trip to Brentford is exactly the sort of clash Arsenal must negotiate if they are to banish the title heartbreak of last season.
Manchester City
Next six Premier League games:Brighton (H), Manchester United (A), Bournemouth (H), Chelsea (A), Liverpool (H), Tottenham (H).
Are Manchester City on the ropes?
Successive defeats hardly represents a crisis, but it’s no exaggeration to say City’s next six fixtures could well define their title defence. The visit of Brighton represents jeopardy, as does the short trip to play under-pressure rivals Manchester United.
While you’d expect Bournemouth to be swept away, a game at Chelsea followed by the visits of Liverpool and Spurs, all while continuing a Champions League campaign, represents a tough period. Guardiola will be praying his big guns come back from international duty unscathed.
Liverpool
Next six Premier League games:Everton (H), Nottingham Forest (H), Luton Town (A), Brentford (H), Manchester City (A), Fulham (H).
Despite just one point from their last two Premier League games, Klopp’s men remain firmly in the title race as they sit just three points adrift of the leaders.
And fans of the Reds will be cautiously excited at the chance in front of their side to go on a winning run. Liverpool go to City on November 25 – but will want to do so having taken 12 points from 12 from games with Everton, Forest, Luton, and Brentford.
