"No more excuses": Spanish media react after Arsenal widen points gap to Liverpool & Man City

Arsenal picked up a fourth-straight Premier League win after a 1-0 triumph over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.

In the process, the Gunners have moved four points clear of second-placed Bournemouth in the standings with a healthy goal difference.

Mikel Arteta’s side are now six and seven points ahead of title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, who suffered defeats on the road last weekend.

Sport (page 20) today cover an opinion on Arsenal’s season thus far and say that the Gunners have ‘no more excuses’ and winning the Premier League is ‘an obligation’.

The Spanish publication highlight the enormous defensive solidity as one of the club’s great virtues. The Gunners have conceded just three times in their first nine league games.

They go on to mention Arsenal’s summer spending spree to improve an ‘already complete squad’ and believe ‘it will be their year’, having come close in the last few seasons.

A long way to go

The Gunners had a difficult schedule to start the campaign, having faced Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United in the opening six games. Three of them on the road.

They were five points adrift of leaders Liverpool after the 1-1 draw against Manchester City at home last month, and questions were raised about whether the club are capable of mounting a title challenge this season.

However, there has been a tremendous turnaround aided by Liverpool’s dreadful form. The Reds have lost four league games on the bounce. Arsenal have capitalised with a 100 percent win record in the same period.

City were in a good run of form before they stumbled against Aston Villa at Villa Park last weekend. As a result, the Gunners have an early advantage over Liverpool & City in the title pursuit, but there is a long way to go.

There are another 87 points at the disposal of each club, and there could be plenty of twists and turns. Arsenal can’t afford to be complacent and must keep on winning league games, while ignoring the outside noise.

The Gunners have a favourable league schedule before the international break as they face newly-promoted Burnley and Sunderland on the road.

City and Liverpool host Bournemouth and Aston Villa next before facing each other at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal could widen their points advantage over both title challengers if they were to beat the Clarets and the Black Cats in the next two outings.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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