A good start for Mikel Arteta has seen his team look less fluid in the attacking regions but with plenty of steel and resolve at the back to see out those tough matches better. One of the best examples of this was against current champions Manchester City, where a 1-0 win had broken a spell without beating their rivals.
With the treble winners faltering early doors, it has opened the path for a few teams to throw their name in the hat alongside the Gunners. Liverpool find themselves back in the mix after a campaign last tie out that was less characteristic of a Jurgen Klopp side, with hopes of adding a second title to their trophy cabinet.
Aston Villa have been something of a surprise package under Unai Emery, and after victories over City and Arsenal, have firmly planted themselves in the conversation. There's been a chance for all three after recent form from Pep Guardiola's team has taken a dip, but even more so with their travels to the Club World Cup, meaning they will have a game in hand on their return.
Not every team will be able to take advantage of that though, due to the fact that Arsenal and Liverpool will face off in that extra game this weekend. It's a chance for Arteta to right the wrongs of their trips to Merseyside last season, where an early two-goal lead was squandered.
It could be a relatively open game for the Spaniard as well, given Liverpool's style of play, something that he admitted has helped his team when it comes to breaking down others. Speaking after the victory over Brighton, he said: "I hope I don’t transmit to my players that they should play with a handbrake. When you have 10 players defending in 22 metres you cannot run. If you run, you run off the pitch. Hopefully we can have 11 players on the pitch!
"When there are teams that want to go man to man, there are huge spaces opening on the pitch. If you do the right things then you can run and we are a really good team there as well. I think the team is clicking because we are experiencing more and spending more time together."
One of the beneficiaries of this could well be Bukayo Saka, who has 11 goal involvements in 16 Premier League matches so far this season. With the winger so often doubled up on when facing opposition defenders, the clash with Liverpool could give him space to work with and with devastating impact.
When he takes to the pitch at Anfield, there will be a completely new look for the winger too, following a recent haircut in the build up. Saka was pictured with a fresh new trim that has included some new highlights in his hair that are of a blonde colour, which demonstrates a very big change from his usual look.
Arsenal will be hopeful that the Liverpool defenders will only be able to see that trim rushing beyond them and sticking the ball into the back of the net on Saturday, with a potential title decider on the cards.
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