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£54m January transfer, Saka concern, Liverpool problem - Arsenal Premier League title verdict

Arsenal will be remaining hopeful of finally winning the Premier League title after two seasons of being pipped to the crown by Manchester City. After 16 games of the 2024/25 campaign, the Gunners are actually above the champions but still sit in third behind both Chelsea and Liverpool.

As they were unable to find a way past Everton, [Mikel Arteta's failed to take advantage of leaders Liverpool drawing with Fulham on Saturday](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/every-word-mikel-arteta-said-30605779). That allowed Chelsea, in second place, the chance to open up a significant gap which they took as they beat Brentford on Sunday evening.

[Though the Gunners are not currently keeping up with the two teams at the top,](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/mikel-arteta-drops-huge-arsenal-30605446) with Liverpool also having a game in hand that could see them go a total of nine points clear, there is still plenty of the season left. With that being said, **football.london**'s writers have taken a look at Arsenal's title chances as things stand.

### Kieran Horn

While Arsenal are struggling for consistency, there is absolutely nothing to suggest they are out of the title race. Having experienced two intense fights for silverware over a prolonged period, Arteta and the majority of his players are more than prepared for the challenge that awaits.

Given the fact Man City are struggling significantly, if Arsenal can get into a rhythm of winning games, 2025 could finally be their year. Three very important things may be required however for that to come true with the first of those involving Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End graduate is arguably Arsenal's most consistent and important player. Keeping him fit and firing on all cylinders will be vital if the Gunners are to maintain a title push. Given the position they find themselves in, other teams dropping points is very much needed.

Last season, it became a straight shoot-out between Arsenal and City with Liverpool falling off the pace in April. As it is more or less the same squad, the Gunners will be hoping for a repeat of exactly that. And finally, the one thing that may not be possible and that is recruiting in January.

Arteta has already stressed it is unlikely, but this could be Arsenal's best chance to win a league title for some time and therefore submitting a lucrative offer for Nico Williams must at least be attempted.

The Spain international, who has a reported £54million release clause, is now more open to leaving Athletic Bilbao and with neither Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli able to nail down the left wing position, he could significantly change the outcome of Arsenal's season.

### Tom Canton

If this season has taught us anything, it is that absolutely anything is possible. Goodness knows we might be in April somehow talking about Nottingham Forest - a side many tipped for relegation - closing in on Champions League qualification while Manchester City endure further struggles.

What many rightly frustrated Arsenal supporters should take from this lull of results is that the points dropped have not come from being outplayed. Arsenal have desevered to win these games and have created chances they should have taken.

Fine margins, be that these aforementioned missed big chances, injuries and controversial decisions have been going against Mikel Arteta's side for what feels like an eternity. The pendulum of fortune is certainly due to swing back and given some much-needed confidence, we know this is an Arsenal side who can take on and beat any side.

Plus, looking beyond the title, three other competitions remain up for grabs with a League Cup quarter-final up next. There is plenty of football left to play, so lets see what happens.

### Lee Wilmot

I felt a few weeks ago that Liverpool were already too far ahead of the rest of the pack and the title race was over. Since then, the reds have dropped points in back-to-back games, drawing with Newcastle and Fulham.

The problem is, Arsenal have done exactly the same thing and failed to capitalise. Man City continue to struggle and it's only Chelsea putting the pressure on Arne Slot's side.

Arse Arsenal still in the title race? I don't think so. I still think Liverpool are too far ahead and have too much about them to see it through. It's going to be another case of good, but not good enough for Arsenal this season. Does that mean pressure on Mikel Arteta? It shouldn't, but it invariably will.

### Will Jenkins

If we are to assume that Liverpool will beat Everton in the rescheduled Merseyside derby, that leaves Arsenal with a nine-point gap that they have to recover. In this era of the Premier League, teams like Liverpool will not easily lose three games.

In critical moments where Arsenal could have shortened the difference, such as when Arne Slot's men drew to Fulham last weekend, Mikel Arteta's side weren't able to do so as they were left with a 0-0 bore draw against a weak Everton side.

And all this has been said without even mentioning Chelsea who are playing with a certain freedom and confidence under Enzo Maresca. For Arsenal, it looks like a steep mountain to climb at the moment. It could leave fans thinking back to last season and coming to the realisation that that was their best chance.

### Amie Wilson

If football has taught us anything, then it is to expect the unexpected. Even so far this season there has been surprises, including Man City’s current form - if you’d have told anybody at the start of the season that Pep Guardiola’s side would win just one of 11 matches, they wouldn’t have believed you.

Arsenal currently sit six points behind Liverpool (although the Reds do have a game in hand). It only needs a swing of a couple of results for the gap to quickly close.

I don’t think Arsenal can be written off yet, but I think the January transfer window could be a big one in terms of the title race. If Mikel Arteta can bring in just one player who will make a difference in games like the last two, as well as being able to keep all their key players, including Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, fit then they definitely have a chance of closing that gap between now and the end of the season.

### Kieran King

If the start to this season is anything to go by, there is no reason why Arsenal can't win the Premier League title. Although the Gunners have been inconsistent so far this term, Mikel Arteta's side are still only six points off the top, even if leaders Liverpool have a game in hand.

Arsenal have showed, at times, that they can rack a succession of wins together and I believe that they have the potential to do that during the second half of the season.

However, Arteta must solve their issues in front of goal first. The Gunners may have scored the fifth-most goals in the Premier League this campaign, but it feels like they have come in spurts and Arteta's men need to be more consistent. Starting away at Crystal Palace on Sunday, Arsenal have a run of seven fixtures where I would fancy them to win and score in them all and I don't see why they can't.

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