Our Seeing Red podcast hosts Tom Canton and John Cross discuss the Premier League title race after Arsenal’s win at Anfield

Arsenal have taken a giant leap forward in their hope of retaining the Premier League title for the first time ever. The Gunners have not won the English top flight twice in a row since the 1930s and now Mikel Arteta’s team have dispatched a Liverpool side who looked likely to be one of their closest rivals.

The situation regarding Manchester City makes the race somewhat complicated, while both Chelsea and, amazingly, Brighton and Hove Albion have both shown potential to compete. However, now three points clear at the top and nine ahead of their weekend opponents, Liverpool, the question is: who will challenge Arsenal this season, especially if City suffer a major points deduction?

On the latest episode of the Seeing Red podcast, our hosts Tom Canton and John Cross discussed this and gave their thoughts.

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“So, John, when it comes to the title race, it's bizarre because the Man City thing is going on, which is another thing that happened while I was off, and obviously we won't spend a whole other podcast talking about that, but what I find hard is now to see who is going to legitimately challenge,” Canton began.

“And I know that sounds at this early stage quite foreboding, but Liverpool, who I would have pegged as Arsenal's probably main rivals, exclusive of Man City, are nine points back now. You've got Brighton, who look very good, and I know, without tempting fate, you'd expect them to struggle as the season gets on.

“They've got the Conference League, which you'd think they would go far in and would want to win as well, so how's that going to take a toll on their players? Could they even lose players in January as big clubs come and snipe potentially transfer-wise?"

Cross replied: “And when you look at how you mentioned it, six clean sheets in the first nine games, Arsenal look so unbeatable, winning eight of their first nine games. Are they clear and obvious favourites now? You've put the absolute hoodoo on them there by saying they look unbeatable.”

"They do look unbeatable!” Canton said.

“Well, they're going to lose three of their next four, you watch, and it will be thanks to you…” Cross said exhaustedly.

“Hull City devour Arsenal. The Tigers have mauled again!” Canton joked.

“Oh, look, you've started it already. Getting carried away. Corr, blimey,” Cross exclaimed.

“I think they are clear and obvious favourites. I still find the Manchester City thing so bizarre because, well, I look at the table and I'm thinking, well, Brighton are second, aren't they? I mean it’s madness.

“It is crazy, and I do think we're in a situation now where we find ourselves questioning whether it is affecting their players because it's back-to-back defeats. Donnarumma's had a couple of shockers. There are a couple of players who've just been below par. I think there are a few players that have suffered a little bit.”

“Is that psychological for them?” Canton asked.

“Possibly, yeah," Cross said. "Even if it's not, we're questioning whether it is, if that makes sense. So it's a story.

“And so, therefore, you're then sowing the seeds of doubt there, and I feel that that's impactful on the integrity of the league, and Man City are coming to the Emirates in a few weeks and then are they going to put more into that game?”

“The atmosphere for that game. It's going to be unbelievable!” Canton interrupted.

“But the atmosphere, I think, might just fire City up,” Cross replied. “And I think if the verdict's not in, are they going to put more into that game than in a month's time when the verdict and the, when I say the verdict, the punishment really, and the appeal is in.

“The whole process still won't be done until early next year. It's ridiculous, and so how, it's impossible to suggest that City's mindset is the same from when the punishment is known to now. I just think it's bonkers.”

“So who's going to challenge [Arsenal]?” Canton asked.

“I think, as Chelsea play one game a week, it will be interesting,” Cross said. “I think Brighton, if they can balance it right. I did a bit of radio yesterday, but I was put on the spot to say who's going to finish higher, Chelsea or Brighton. Having spent the last ten minutes bigging up Brighton and Lewis Dunk, I could hardly say Chelsea, so I went Brighton, but I actually think then that Chelsea will.

“I feel as if they're light in midfield; I think they've got defensive issues. The keeper's still a bit of an issue; Penders has done well, he's highly thought of. So I feel as if there are a few things there, but when they get their front three right, then I feel that they're a force to be reckoned with. I like the look of Bournemouth, but I don't see them as title challengers.

“There's a few out there, but I do feel as if it's there for Arsenal to go and retain that title. In any other season, you would say this is in danger of being a two-horse race between Arsenal and Man City, but clearly, we know the story behind City, so we're reluctant to do that.”