All of the ingredients are there for Arsenal. Four points clear at the top, their rivals in varying states of disarray, a squad with two top class options for every position, an impregnable defence and a manager laser focused on success.

Surely, even the most pessimistic Arsenal fan would struggle to disagree that this has to be the year they finally end their wait for Premier League glory?

Given the ways in which Mikel Arteta’s most recent teams have construed to miss out on silverware, it would be foolish to take anything for granted particularly at this early juncture in the season.

The stars do, however appear to have aligned for this latest incarnation of Arteta’s Arsenal, a mean machine that that has conceded just three goals thus far and only one from open play.

An impenetrable brick wall comprised of four monsters at the back in William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori take the majority of the credit, but there is a healthy supporting cast.

Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.

Sign up to our newsletter and then select your...