no way are we winning the title

I think we will be in the mix for top 4 though

Oh and City will stroll it, by 10-15 plus points

For Arsenal, we aren't losing that many players to the World Cup, and a lot who go won't play much. Unfortunately for us, those who are going as very likely starters Partey and Xhaka - pretty much our midfield. But I expect them both to be back pretty quickly, giving them about 3 weeks before the PL restarts.
Saka is really a big worry for us, but hopefully England flop, while Saliba is the only one I can see as a starter who goes deep into the tournament.

The transfer window will be a big factor, whoever gets that right will probably take second. But City will win the title by a fair distance imo, especially if a non-participant at the World Cup - Haaland - can maintain his fitness.

Hard one to call with the weird two part season. City have a knack of hitting form after Christmas, but who knows how teams will come back this year.

Arsenal have to be the main discussion, but too soon to rule out Liverpool imo.

Personally, I think Spurs are probably the other team to be included.

It's a fascinating season behind City though.

I've reached the conclusion that we are your biggest threat, but in reality I think we will fall short at the business end and battle Spurs for 2nd place.

but too soon to rule out Liverpool imo.
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Perfection from them for the rest of the season gives them 94 points. Even that may not be enough, but they do not look like a team who will win 26 games from 26. I think it is safe to rule Liverpool out of the title race.

Spurs have barely got going this season. Just when it looked like we might start picking up the performance levels, we got injuries to key players and the backup is looking shaky, while the first XI look a bit exhausted.

A couple of home games to get through before the WC, so if we can get 4-6 points from them we're there or thereabouts, going into the break.

Most of the first team going to the WC, most notable missing out is Kulusevski and Bissouma but other than that most others involved.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 5 minutes ago
but too soon to rule out Liverpool imo.
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Perfection from them for the rest of the season gives them 94 points. Even that may not be enough, but they do not look like a team who will win 26 games from 26. I think it is safe to rule Liverpool out of the title race.
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They're 7 behind Spurs, 5 behind Chelsea - less than a third of the way into the season... they could very quickly overhaul those two (and United) with a good run.

Of course it's unlikely - City are that good.

But it's not inconceivable that Liverpool go on a good run that gets them above the teams listed and then it really depends on Arsenal's form as to whether they move into second.

Overhauling Chelsea and Spurs is all well and good, but this is about who will challenge City for the title, and I can say with great confidence Liverpool will not get close to City.

Well, it's who will get closest...

I'm not convinced even the closest will be close

I think City will win it comfortably in the end.

Arsenal are doing very well and fair play to them. You can only beat what's in front of you but they haven't had the most difficult fixtures so far. Maybe if they go to The Bridge on Sunday and win I'll start to think differently. I think they are the only hope of someone challenging City though.

Spurs I think will grind out enough results against the lesser sides to be top 4 challengers but I'd shocked if they are in the title mix.

Newcastle as the OP has stated have improved quicker than expected but I would expect there will be rough patch for them.

Chelsea. They are ok but that's about it. Potter has done ok but I expect them to be similar to last season.

United are improving. In fact we actually have identical results to City over the last 10 games. If a miracle happens and Martial and Varane can stay fit for the rest of the season after the WC then who knows but it's very unlikely. There's still too many games where we are just getting by.

Liverpool are still capable of going on a run if they get the injured players back and they stay fit but the gap is too big for them to be title contenders imo.

Arsenal must be delighted that they’re being written of like Leicester were 6 years ago.