Arsenal have been close before, of course, such as two years ago when the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud and our new record signing Mesut Ozil saw the Gunners spend more time on top of the Premier League table than any of our rivals.
And there is still a long way to go for us this season and plenty of time for Arsenal to mess it up again, but from what the team have shown so far, the football media as well as the fans are starting to believe that Arsene Wenger finally has all the tools in place for a title win.
There are key players all over the pitch, like Alexis Sanchez, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla, but it is the only player new to the Arsenal squad, the first choice keeper Petr Cech, who has made the most difference and has turned Arsenal into a team capable of becoming champions.
That is the verdict of the German centre back Per Mertesacker anyway. In a statement reported by Sky Sports the World Cup winning defender spoke about what a huge influence the former Chelsea star has already had during his short time in north London and our BFG is one of the players to feel the most benefit.
Mertesacker explained, “You know that if they get a really clear chance Petr can do something about it.
“He’s always someone who can save your day. That gives everyone a big lift, not only the back four.
“The way he is commanding and vocal makes him vital. He is one of our leaders and he deserves it.
“He has played at a high level and he is still very hungry and, no matter how successful he was at Chelsea, I think he gives our team that hunger we maybe need.
“He is an experienced player that everyone looks up to and he’s important for our structure as well.”
You can hear from the way the German talks about Arsenal´s title chances that the arrival of Cech has had a big influence on his own belief.
He went on, “We haven’t proved anything yet but what we have learned is to take it game by game.
“The last couple of years we have lost a few games here and there, especially away from home.
“But we take it really seriously because we can see there is not that much difference between the top and us.
“Last season I think it was 15 points at this stage and now it’s completely different. It gives you a reason to be as efficient as we are at the minute.”
Has Cech´s confidence and winning attitude rubbed off and if so, will it be enough to turn Arsenal from nearly men to champions of England?