Will anyone challenge Arsenal for the title?

Following a victory over Chelsea last weekend, Arsenal have secured three wins from three to open their Premier League campaign. Despite being level on points with Manchester City, the Gunners look even more formidable than last season, when they claimed the title by a seven-point margin.

The Athletic writers have evaluated the landscape to see if any challenger can truly test the champions. While Manchester City are navigating a new era following Pep Guardiola's departure, their revamped midfield featuring Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, and Ayyub Bouaddi remains a potent force under Enzo Maresca.

Elsewhere, Chelsea under Xabi Alonso have shown attacking flair, though defensive vulnerabilities persist. Liverpool, now under Andoni Iraola, are still a work in progress, while newly promoted Hull City are currently enjoying a dream start to their return to the top flight.

Despite the optimism surrounding their rivals, many analysts believe Arsenal's defensive stability makes them the team to beat. However, the club faces a historical hurdle: they have not retained the title since the 1930s. With key additions like Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa, Arsenal are well-positioned, though they remain wary of how quickly injuries to key attacking players could shift the balance of the season.