With six points separating the first five places heading into Christmas, Manchester City face a challenge to defend their crown againThe case for When Martin Ødegaard crossed in the very last knockings at Luton on 5 December, there was...

With six points separating the first five places heading into Christmas, Manchester City face a challenge to defend their crown again

The case for When Martin Ødegaard crossed in the very last knockings at Luton on 5 December, there was an inevitability about Declan Rice’s headed winner. Not only because Rice had done it before – remember his decisive 96th-minute goal against Manchester United on 3 September – but because Arsenal have made a habit of this type of thing; the never?say?die pushes that advertise the mentality of champions. They can also count the late winners against Manchester City and Brentford, together with an 84th?minute equaliser against Chelsea. What underscores the notion that it will be Arsenal’s year in the Premier League is the foundations that Mikel Arteta has put in place. Rice’s signing in midfield has been huge; he helps the team so much defensively, especially against the counterattack, bringing control, the buzzword of the season so far. The defence itself has grown, developing an understated security, with William Saliba central to everything. Then there is the greater strength in depth compared with last season, when a surprise challenge ran out of steam in April, the pronounced threat on set pieces and the ability of Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka to make things happen.

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