GAME OF THROW-INS

While over-reliance on set-pieces marks a surprising return to a more primitive style of football, Arsenal are built to make the most of the current playing fad

- camondunphy

STRUGGLES Liverpool's players are left gutted during Sunday's loss to United and (right) Erling Haaland is in beast mode for City this season

LIVERPOOL won the title last season comfortably, even fitting in a holiday to Dubai before their campaign had even finished.

Along the way, they lost four games. That number matters. Four defeats is the average for champions over the last 10 seasons.

It's one of the many reasons why it is increasingly unlikely the Reds will hold on to their crown this time round.

They have already lost three times in just eight games in the Premier League. Given how porous they are, it's hard not to think that more losses are in store.

At the top of the table are Arsenal - who have lost once, just ahead of Manchester City, who have lost two games.

Go through the rest of the top 10 and it's hard to make a case for any of them being realistic title challengers.

Chelsea may have some admirers but there is a lack of discipline in their team that will be costly.

Manager Enzo Maresca is essentially unproven too and can be erratic.

So, by a process of elimination, the chances are that this will be the third Arsenal v City title race in the last four seasons.

Are there reasons to think the outcome will be different this time?

Are Arsenal finally ready to throw off their 'nearly men' tag? Mikel Arteta has done a fine job and there are signs that the Gunners are now a stronger proposition than they were.

Martin Zubimendi was one of the most coveted midfielders around and he has made a seamless switch to the Premier League.

Eberechi Eze showed at Crystal Palace that he was able to cause all kinds of teams problems and he has given another dimension to Arsenal's attack.