Arsenal have proven that they’re going to fight tooth and nail for this season’s Premier League title.
The Gunners overcame a huge obstacle at Kenilworth Road as Declan Rice scored a winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time to earn a 4-3 victory over Luton Town in the most dramatic fashion.
Rice was the hero of the hour as he saw Arsenal to a dramatic win over LutonAFP
As well as putting Mikel Arteta‘s side five points clear at the top of the table, it was the symbolic nature of the win that will get people talking more than anything.
Arsenal have historically struggled to grind out results in times of need, leaving them short when it comes to challenging for major honours.
However, this season’s evolution of the Gunners looks to be every inch the genuine title challenger.
That fighting quality will serve Arsenal incredibly well over the course of the season, particularly with proven leaders including Rice joining an increasingly steely north London side.
That steel will certainly be needed if they’re going to pip Manchester City to the post.
Fresh from winning the treble last year, Pep Guardiola‘s side are yet to hit top gear this season but the Man City boss, he has an underlying confidence that his team will come out victorious in the Premier League again.
Guardiola said: “I have a feeling that if we maintain that level, we’ll win the Premier League. We will win it again.
“If we (could) maintain the level of Liverpool and Tottenham, I’ll sign for it right now. We didn’t win 5-0 – we drew – but I’d sign right now (for) my team (to) behave the way we’ve played the last two games.
Guardiola is confident that his Man City side will come out on top in the Premier League title raceGettyHaaland-rallies-crowd-862674941.jpg?strip=all&w=960″ alt=”” width=”960″ height=”640″>It’s hard not to be confident when you have the World’s top striker in your ranksAFP
“I don’t know if we can sustain that all season and that is the challenge.”
Responding to a question about pundits saying that his team have been complacent this season, Guardiola said: “I don’t have anything to say about the pundits.
“Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t think it’s about complacency. I know the players, I know how they run. How we behave is extraordinary.
“He knows how difficult it is otherwise Gary Neville would’ve won four Premier Leagues in the best period of Manchester United. But he didn’t do it.
“I see my team, how they fight, how they press, how they continue until the end and how upset they are after we concede.
“Maybe, maybe I’m wrong and they are seeing everything that I’m not able to see, but I don’t have that feeling.
Arsenal-celebrates-864335732.jpg?strip=all&w=960″ alt=”” width=”960″ height=”640″>Arteta’s side look well up for the title challenge this seasonGettyArsenal-celebrates-teammate-864336125.jpg?strip=all&w=960″ alt=”” width=”960″ height=”660″>Based on their display against Luton, the Gunners are not a side who will give up the fight easilyGetty
“Jamie Carragher didn’t win one (league title). Micah Richards didn’t win four Premier Leagues in a row. Never, ever.”
It may only be December but the gloves are already off among the Premier League’s leading title challengers.
With almost two-thirds of the campaign left to play, it’s clear that there’s going to be plenty of twists and turns between now and May and at talkSPORT, we can’t wait to see how it plays out.