Arsenal are gunning for title

Arsenal are now clear favourites to win the Premier League this season after their latest victory, against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Gunners finished second for a third successive season last campaign, but they are way ahead of faltering champions Liverpool this time and look unlikely to relinquish it with all the other top teams dropping points recently.

What is even more impressive about Arsenal’s start is they have already played Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United away and Manchester City at home - and are still four points clear at the top from Bournemouth.

While they keep winning, their traditional rivals aren’t faring so well with City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea all off the pace.

The pressure was on boss Mikel Arteta at the start, having spent around $300m on eight summer signings in search of that elusive first title since 2004. But the business has so far paid off handsomely, with his side second top scorers in the league and having the tightest defence, despite a number of injuries.

Arsenal’s defensive solidity is a key reason why they are looking well positioned to finally fulfil their title target. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said he valued the 1-0 win over Palace more “than any other victory this season. There are things to improve as well to give us better margins.”

Meanwhile, it was almost the perfect day for Real Madrid as Xabi Alonso’s side beat Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico to go five points clear at the top of La Liga.

Jude Bellingham got his first league goal and assist of the season after a difficult few months recovering from shoulder surgery.

Kylian Mbappe continued his lethal form in front of goal – although he did have a penalty saved - while Alonso’s tactics in his first Clasico in the dugout worked superbly. Mbappe has scored 14 goals in just eight games for Real.