For Arsenal, the conversation has shifted. They are no longer chasing credibility or progress. They are being judged as champions.
There is also noise around the squad. Other reports suggest Arsenal could still be active in the market, with Julian Alvarez linked and Gabriel Martinelli reportedly attracting interest from Saudi Arabia. Until anything is settled, that only adds another layer to the title debate.
Predictions are part of the theatre, but the real point is what they reveal: there is no sense of a runaway favourite. If respected voices back Arsenal yet split elsewhere, it underlines how open the season appears to be.
A title defence usually turns on familiar details:
That is where champions separate themselves from contenders.
The split opinions beyond first place are just as telling. The fight for European spots often shifts quickly, and one fast start can reshape the table. At the other end, clubs rarely survive long if they spend autumn chasing momentum. And as ever, the league’s biggest stories may come from a breakout player or a manager who changes the mood of an entire club.
The next clue will come once the season settles into rhythm. Early fixtures matter, but the next real swing point may be the market itself - especially if Arsenal and their rivals decide the squad still needs one more decisive move.