We thought it was going to be a three-horse race, but can the emergence of Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool make this the most exciting Premier League season ever?

e teams absent from recent title races sit top the Premier League table and could just be getting comfortable. Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham have not troubled the shorter end of bookmakers’ odds for some seasons but there is a growing sense that money on the trio this year may not be misplaced.

Leading the way: Arsenal have won the most points so far this calendar year

Their emergence promises to provide the most widely-run Premier League race in history with the Manchester neighbours and Chelsea expected get serious soon too.
Arsenal’s last title came in 2004 while it is 23 years since Liverpool claimed the last of their then-record 18 league crowns. Spurs have to look back to 1961 and their legendary manager Bill Nicholson for precedent.
The most recent proper challenge came in 2007-08 from Arsenal, who were three points clear in late February but fell away after a 2-2 draw at Birmingham saw Eduardo’s leg broken and William Gallas perform a centre-circle tantrum.
There are always a few anomalies in early season and the usual questions remain. But perhaps this year is different. Here’s why… 

Up and down: Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham are posing a real threat to the Manchester clubs and Chelsea

 

Managers

Arsenal – It is merely a month since Arsene Wenger was facing accusations he had lost his marbles down aisle seven of the transfer market but the last-minute splurge on Mesut Ozil and subsequent winning run has seen him reclaim his status as the Professor. There is assurance, rather than insouciance, about his public utterances now. While he may need to remember where he left the party poppers he has at least done it before – three times. A valuable asset.

Content: Arsene Wenger is just a month past fans calling for his head

ODDS TO WIN THE TITLE

9/4 Manchester City
3/1 Chelsea
9/2 Arsenal
7/1 Manchester United
8/1 Tottenham
8/1 Liverpool

Liverpool – Brendan Rodgers has trimmed his squad much like his body. Gone is the excess to reveal a lean machine intent on being taken seriously. He is moulding the club in his image with pleasing football and smart tactics. However, a Championship play-off trophy at Swansea cannot prepare him for the rigours of a run-in with the Premier League at stake. The scrutiny that comes might begin to feel a little alien and test that freshly-whitened smile.

 

Machine: Brendan Rodgers is intent on making Liverpool a force again

Tottenham – We all may have to take a page out of Andre Villas-Boas’s dictionary and conjure new words to describe a Spurs title charge given the time elapsed since the last one. The Portuguese is fond of adding unusual phrases to the English language and such oratory skills will be needed when the going gets tough. But the scars of Chelsea seem healed and he can draw from that season plundering silverware at Porto for self-belief. A cool operator.

Cool: Andre Villas-Boas has developed a new style at Tottenham

 

Squad

Arsenal – There is no question Arsenal’s starting XI is one of the finest in Europe but fears over a lack of depth remain. Should Olivier Giroud get injured a striking crisis would quickly develop. It’s never ideal when Nicklas Bendtner is your back-up centre-forward option. Yet Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla were all injured for the win at Swansea so replacements are contributing. Serge Gnabry impressed while Aaron Ramsey’s form is sensational.

New man: Aaron Ramsey's form has been sensational so far this season

Liverpool – Four centre backs starting against Southampton certainly made clear a deficiency in one area of the Liverpool side but there is good competition elsewhere. Keeping hold of Luis Suarez may be bad for the ‘brand’ but it has already shown to be good in a purely football sense. Philippe Coutinho’s return from injury will provide a big boost but width is sometimes lacking and may require a solution in January.

Back: Luis Suarez's return is a huge boost to an already flying Liverpool

Tottenham – Arguably the most rounded and varied squad in the division after some spectacular spreadsheet management. Out goes one Gareth Bale, in comes a multitude of options in both attack and defence. Younger players such as Andros Townsend, Danny Rose and Kyle Naughton have also stepped up. You could feasible write down two entirely separate starting XIs that would do a decent job of challenging for the Champions League. The issue comes from finding a best team and managing squad rotation.

Stepping up: Andros Townsend has performed admirably in a Spurs side without Gareth Bale

 

History

Arsenal – Nine years is a lifetime in football management and would have meant death for other reigns but Wenger is experiencing something of a reincarnation. It is that long since his Invincibles claimed that last of Arsenal’s 13 league titles and none of the squad remain. The memories do however and so does the manager who won two Doubles in his first six years.

It's been a while: Arsenal last won the title in 2004

Liverpool – Their 18 titles was once the most collected until Sir Alex Ferguson took exception to the Liver bird’s perch. The 2008-09 season under Rafa Benitez saw a sustained assault on Manchester United but in the end 86 points, a winning total in other seasons, was not enough. Trophies have been consistently picked up though and supporters at Anfield expect success.

Close: Rafael Benitez's Liverpool almost pipped Man United to the title in 2009

Tottenham – No title challenge in the Premier League years will be a concern if Spurs remain up there by Easter. The Cockerel has choked a few times when pursuing Champions League football so what happens when first is the prize? Frank Lampard made reference to mentality after the 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane and the weight of history may bear down on two-title Tottenham.

Barron run: Bill Nicholson (left) was the last Tottenham manager to win the league back in 1961

 

Pressure

Arsenal – Always mounting after so long without silverware.
Liverpool – Patience is there but progress needs to be achieved.
Tottenham – A £100million spend on players brings focus but not quite expectation.

The heat is on: With the money Spurs have spent, supporters are expectant

 

Signings

Arsenal – Getting Ozil was a massive moment but in an understated way so too was bringing in Mathieu Flamini. He has brought balance to the side and slipped in seamlessly. If he can continue his unfussy work and Ozil can maintain an effective start it will have been good business. Yaya Sanogo is one for the future. A shop in the January sales would still be wise.

Understated: Mesut Ozil was the big Arsenal capture this summer but Mathieu Flamini has fitted in seamlessly

Liverpool – The best business was done in January with Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge joining. Simon Mignolet, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho were bought for a spread of fees and have immediately reinforced the defence. Tiago Ilori looks promising there, too. Victor Moses brings much-needed wing play but Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto appear to require time to settle.

Stopper: Liverpool have managed to keep three Premier League clean sheets with Simon Mignolet in goal

Tottenham – Christian Eriksen for £11.5million could prove the bargain of the summer. His touch is silky but there is steel in his play too. Record signing Erik Lamela has shown glimpses of his talent while Paulinho has impressed. Roberto Soldado can still improve and we are yet to see the full value of Nacer Chadli, Vlad Chiriches and the injured Etienne Capoue.

Bargain of the summer? Christian Eriksen has lit up White Hart Lane since his £11.5m arrival from Ajax