Arsenal news: Phil McNulty on Gunners’ title chances

BBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions and remains bullish on Arsenal’s chances this season.

Adam asked: A lot of people are writing off Arsenal at this stage, but to me, this seems premature. They’ve had the toughest run of fixtures compared with Manchester City and Liverpool, and have lost only two games in the league, which isn’t disastrous. Plus, with the return of Martin Odegaard and others, they looked so much better and fluid against Chelsea. You would think that they will be hitting peak form after the international break and into the New Year. How do you assess their chances this season after what you’ve seen so far?

Phil answered: That nine-point gap to Liverpool is certainly a concern but I would not write Arsenal off yet at all.

You’re right. They have had a tough set of early fixtures and there is still time to turn things around, although Liverpool’s start to the season has made life difficult. Not sure anyone, even Arne Slot, was expecting them to start the way they have.

Odegaard is certainly a welcome return, although manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping the injuries suffered by Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice at Chelsea do not keep them out when the Premier League resumes after the international break.

I still think they should have signed a recognised 20-goal a season striker and it could come back to hurt them.

But write them off? No.