Alan Pardew has identified Arsenal’s biggest rival for the title after the Gunners extended their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal, runners-up for the past three seasons, moved four points clear at the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

It was a brilliant weekend for Mikel Arteta’s side who not only edged out a difficult London rival but also saw Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all lose.

Defending champions Liverpool’s miserable run continued at Brentford, Man City slipped up yet again at Aston Villa while Chelsea were stunned by Sunderland.

The surprising results mean high-flying Bournemouth are Arsenal’s nearest rival, with Tottenham in third and newly-promoted Sunderland fourth after a sensational start to the season.

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Few pundits are looking beyond Arsenal, who last won the Premier League in 2004, but Pardew still expects Man City to mount a ‘big challenge’ for the...