It will be 21 years next May since Arsenal last won the Premier League title and the Gunners have every chance of finally discovering the key to the door which will end their long title drought.
They have been frustratingly close to smashing Manchester City’s dominance in the past two seasons but fell apart with victory in sight two years ago, while Pep Guardiola’s genius led the defending champions to a record fourth straight title with a final-day victory at home to West Ham last term.
Why is it going to be different this time around? Well, as things stand Arsenal look the better value to finish top with Guardiola’s contract expiring next summer, Julian Alvarez, a pivotal part of their blistering attack, joining Atletico Madrid and concerns masterful midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is past his prime.
Arsenal have strengthened an already watertight defence which only conceded 28 goals last season with the capture of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and the Gunners will be desperate to shed the reputation they lack the mental strength to get the job done when victory is in sight.
Betting on the Premier League with three weeks left in the transfer window is tricky because even the biggest clubs must navigate exorbitant demands from selling teams, players and agents while Football League outfits are able to conduct their business much earlier in the close season.
The picture could radically change if either of the two leading contenders splurge on difference-makers during the remainder of the month but as things stand, it’s a two-horse race with Arsenal the better value despite City being odds against at 6/4 with Ladbrokes and Coral.
It’s tough to ignore the Gunners at 15/8 with bet365 while Martin Odegaard, the midfield metronome who makes them tick, is 14/1 with the same firm and William Hill to be the PFA player of the year.
Don’t overlook David Raya winning the Golden Glove award at 11/5 with Betway while Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is worth an each-way shout for the Golden Boot at 16/1 with bet365 and Betfred.
The Magpies marksman has only to finish in the top four to cash at a quarter of the odds, making him much better value than Erling Haaland who is just 8/11 with Paddy Power, Betfair and Betfred to win the prized boot for the third year in a row.
Saints will go marching down
Southampton were relegated as the bottom club the last time they were in the Premier League and it’s difficult to see them making significant improvement now they are back among the big boys.
They were a streaky side last season, going 25 games unbeaten before a drastic drop in form saw them blow automatic promotion before finally scrambling over the line by beating Leeds United in the Championship play-off final.
It cannot be overlooked that a defence which conceded 63 goals in the regular campaign has not been drastically improved and Southampton will be picked apart by the better attacks they will encounter at the higher level.
They are 11/10 with Paddy Power, Betfair and StarSports to be relegated and it’s worth a dabble at 8/1 with Bet Victor that they finish bottom again at 8/1 in case the points deduction hanging over Leicester City isn’t as severe as expected.
• It’s back! There’s wall-to-wall televised Football League action on Saturday with Championship matches kicking-off of at 12.30pm, League Two games starting at 3pm and League One fixtures featured at 5.30pm. Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Rotherham and Gillingham form the first acca of what promises to be another fun season.
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