THERE is a really good feeling about being an Arsenal fan at the moment.
While it might be early days in the Premier League, the Gunners are perched nicely at the top of the ladder, sitting comfortably next to the champions of England – Man City.
Indeed, there are similarities in the way these teams started the new campaign.
With two wins apiece, they have also scored six times each, although Arsenal have conceded two.
But perhaps the most telling thing is the way they have played.
For City, it has been their usual top-class stuff of knocking the ball about, before knocking the air out of their opposition and riding off with the three points.
The Gunners have done the same, which leaves one with no doubt that Mikel Arteta’s tenure as Pep Guardiola’s second-in-command at the Etihad was time well spent by the Spaniard.
As it has proved over the years, three points are handed out for a win and one for a draw, meaning the Premiership standings can change rather dramatically in a short space of time.
The Gunners know this and will want to do whatever they can to stay at the top.
And they should do so with some ease this weekend, at least, when they clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth did well to see off Aston Villa in their season opener, but came unstuck against Man City in the 4-0 thrashing last week.
And as much as the Cherries will want to turn that result around today, Arsenal appear to have too much firepower.
Gabriel Jesus, who moved to London from City in the off-season, along with Oleksandr Zinchenko, has been in good nick and amongst the goals.
City travel to Newcastle tomorrow for what could also prove to be an exciting show of talent.
Under Eddie Howe, the Magpies have been transformed into a side that plays with patience and punish any waywardness. More importantly, though, they have tightened up their defence and are no longer a side easily rolled over.
City, who completed the £11mil (RM58.7mil) signing of Sergio Gomez this week, might witness this first-hand in the late game tomorrow. It could be a lot more difficult than most folks think.
The champions should still emerge with a win, even if it is a narrow one.
Chelsea’s visit to Leeds is another fixture that will have the purists sitting up with much enthusiasm.
Both sides are unbeaten and have four points each. But given the way the Blues have started the season, they might just edge this one and still have a bit more fuel in the tank at the end of it.
