As it turns out, they have been much better than the reigning champions, though not to the same as their own blistering standards of the previous two seasons when finishing as successive runners-up. Instead, Liverpool have stormed through to lead the way by a clear 13 points with 10 matches remaining.
Plenty of factors could be said to not have fallen the way of Arsenal throughout the ongoing season. It might be five red cards - some of which have been huge points of contention, or it might even be troublesome injuries that have decimated mainly the forward line.
Perhaps it was the failure to remedy that latter situation in the first place by signing a striker in summer, or least recruit a placeholder in the January transfer window. Top target Alexander Isak is now one away from the 20-goal mark but was never going to feasible option midway through the current season.
Discussing this subject on TNT Sports ahead of West Ham vs Leicester City on Thursday night, Lennon came up with the alternative deeper element he fears might be holding the club back from their greatest target.
"Without a doubt he [Isak] would make them better but I’m not sure, I still don’t know. There’s just something eating away at me, I don’t know if they’re destined to win it under Arteta or not," the 53-year-old explained.
"The longer you go getting close and not winning it, you’ve gotta keep going, Mikel will keep trying to work a formula to win it but you think next season Man City’ll be back stronger, Liverpool will be there.
"It’s just so competitive, I don’t know if the chance has gone under Arteta."
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