The players are young, talented and look hungry to win the club its first Premier League title since 2004. The manager, Mikel Arteta, has seemingly addressed the soft underbelly which has plagued the team in recent years and the fans, in large part, have been convinced to trust the process.


The new-look Arsenal was there for all to see in its dramatic 4-3 win against Luton Town on Tuesday, a game which saw the Gunners move five points clear at the top of the tabl

Declan Rice secured all three points with a 97th-minute headed winner which sparked frenzied scenes among players, staff and fans alike.


In truth, it was a match that the Arsenal of old could have quite easily lost. Luton’s Kenilworth Road is an intimidating place for players to visit; the stands may be small, but the fans are close to the pitch and create a cauldron-like atmosphere to which Luton’s players usually respond.


Last-gasp goal moves Arsenal five points clear in Premier League title race but goalkeeper debacle rumbles on



But even when they were up against it, the majority of Arsenal’s players stood up to the pressure and demonstrated a promising mentality that would-be champions must possess.


The last-gasp winner, though, does mask an obvious issue for Arsenal, a problem which is largely of its own making.

A dilemma in goal

Goalkeeper David Raya was brought to the club at the start of this season, after the Spaniard had impressed during his spell at Brentford.

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It was a signing that raised eyebrows across the soccer world given Arsenal already had Aaron Ramsdale as its No. 1.

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The England international was a fan favorite and, from the outside at least, seemed one of the pivotal players in this new, exciting chapter at the club.


Despite Ramsdale doing very little wrong, Arteta replaced him with Raya as the first-choice goalkeeper for the league earlier this season. It’s a decision that has not yet paid off.


Is this finally the year?

Away from the goalkeeper debate, there certainly is cause for Arteta to be a really happy manager.


His other summer signing, Rice, has been superb for Arsenal’s midfield. Although he had a quieter night against Luton, the Englishman lent steeliness to the team which has been yearning for such a player for years.


His last-minute goal, along with the subsequent celebrations, showed just how together this Arsenal team is and how serious the Gunners are about finally winning a league title ahead of the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.


In truth, many still hold reservations about whether Arsenal can keep this form up for the entirety of the season, but that’s more to do with a number of false dawns in recent history. Last season, for example, Arsenal was eight points clear of Manchester City but ended up finishing five points behind in second.


“I feel like we’ve learnt a lot as a group,” Rice told Amazon Prime when asked about his team’s title credentials.


“There are so many good teams in this league this year and anything can happen. It’s just about us, not worrying about anyone else.”


Arsenal faces tough challenges in its next three Premier League fixtures. It travels to face the impressive Aston Villa on Saturday, before a home tie against Brighton and a trip to Liverpool.


If it comes through those games unscathed, this Arsenal team will have convinced yet more people that this could finally be the year that it silences the doubters.