Arsenal have been cut to 7/2 in bwin’s Premier League outright winner odds after beating Brentford 1-0 to move top of the table.
Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime left the door open for the Gunners to hit the summit for the first time since May 2.
They did not look like doing so for 89 minutes against a stubborn Brentford side and at times were grateful the hosts did not punish some rudimentary errors from goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
But, 10 minutes after coming off the bench, Kai Havertz struck at the far post to convert Bukayo Saka’s cross and lift Arsenal back to the top for the first time since last season’s title bid fizzled out.
Arteta said: “I’m so happy, when you have the opportunity to go top and you come to Brentford, an uncomfortable place to come, the team showed so much willingness to compete.”
Arsenal host Wolves next before heading to struggling Luton, which is followed by a tricky trip to former boss Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
The midlanders are now 40/1 for the title after moving into fourth place, two points behind Arsenal, following a 2-1 win at Tottenham.
Emery’s side came from behind to leapfrog Spurs after a thrilling end-to-end contest, with Pau Torres scoring a first-half header and Ollie Watkins grabbing a second after 61 minutes.
Giovani Lo Celso had drilled Tottenham in front after 22 minutes with the hosts’ profligacy in front of goal costing them as Villa secured an eighth win from their last 10 matches.
Emery said: “Of course we can get confidence when we are winning matches like here at Tottenham but, still in my mind, it is 38 matches that we have to be consistent.
“We are in (the top four) now but we are not a contender. There are seven contenders more than us to be in the top seven, to be in the top four but while we are there, we are going to try to keep (there).”
Ange Postecoglou remained defiant and insisted Tottenham, who are also 40/1 for title glory, were on the path to being “a very good football team” despite a third consecutive defeat.
He said: “It might take a little while but we’ll get through it and as long as we show the same intent and play the football we did today, I’ve got no doubt when we come out the other side, we’ll be a very good football team.”
Manchester United are 66/1 following a 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.
Alejandro Garnacho’s staggering overhead kick set United on course for a comprehensive away win, with Marcus Rashford (penalty) and Anthony Martial adding further goals.
It was a third straight league win for United who face Newcastle (a), Chelsea (h), Liverpool (a), West Ham (a) and Aston Villa (h) before the end of the year.
Guardiola and Klopp content with point apiece
Trent Alexander-Arnold cancelled out Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal as Liverpool grabbed a point against title rivals Manchester City.
The England international struck 10 minutes from the end of a tight encounter at the Etihad Stadium after Haaland’s landmark strike looked like extending City’s record home winning run.
City had won their previous 23 games on home turf in all competitions, a run dating back to a visit from Everton on New Year’s Eve last December.
Alexander-Arnold’s late equaliser also spared the blushes of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who had a day to forget having gifted Haaland his opener and committed several other errors.
Haaland had shown no mercy as he netted in the 27th minute, reaching his half-century of goals in the competition in just his 48th appearance, a new record.
City boss Pep Guardiola, whose side are still odds-on favourites at 8/13 in bwin’s Premier League outright winner odds, said: “I’m incredibly pleased with the performance because in seven years we know exactly how tough they are and how good they are.
“We played really good because I know against which team we are playing. They are excellent. I admire Jurgen (Klopp) a lot, he knows that. That’s why after many years, we are able still to do it and be hungry.
“How many chances did we create? Seven, eight, nine? We were incredibly good in all departments. It’s a pity but I said to them (the players) we’re not going to win or lose the Premier League today.
“They (Liverpool) are happy, we are a little less happy. I’m really pleased and so proud of my team.’”
Liverpool are 9/2 for the title and boss Jurgen Klopp said: “For us I think we passed a test, I am not sure if it was the test.
“Last year with a team that played long together we got completely under the wheels here (losing 4-1) and had no real chance. Today we had a chance.
“I am not silly, I see the game and if you ask who was more likely to win the game it was City, obviously, but we had our moments and we won games with lesser chances against City.”
Newcastle are also priced at 66/1 for the title after their 4-1 home win over Chelsea (200/1) left them in seventh, five points adrift of Villa.
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