Can anyone stop Arsenal winning the title this year?

Data analysts give the Gunners a 71 per cent chance but it’s rarely that simple, argues Simon Collings

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It was on Sunday night, after Manchester City had closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to six points, that Pep Guardiola was asked about his side's prospects of winning the title.

“Well, hopefully Arsenal can concede a goal one day,” he said, with a wry smile. Guardiola's words sum up the feeling of many right now after Arsenal's impressive start to the campaign.

The Gunners have 25 points from their opening ten league games — one more than the famous Invincibles side at this stage — and much of that is down to their formidable defence.

Erling Haaland is the only player to score in open play against them this season and they have conceded just three goals. But never mind clean sheets, in three of Arsenal’s past four league games, the opposing side haven't even managed to muster a shot on target.

Gunners goalkeeper David Raya may well have the easiest job in football. Either that, or is he the best-paid spectator.