Arsenal, always a game from inspiring doubt, actually have lots to be confident about

Thomas Woods writes that while Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Spurs seems like an all-too-typical opportunity lost for Arsene Wenger's men, the team still have as much going for them as any in the title race.

Arsenal players huddle after the own goal against Tottenham on Sunday. Ben Stansall / AFP / November 6, 2016

So much baggage comes with talk of Arsenal and a title challenge that it is often hard to find a bit of perspective.

When you have finished either third or fourth for 10 straight seasons until 2015/16 and seen title challenge after title challenge fall away in March, it is understandable that supporters and analysts of the game are sceptical.

Why get too excited about a good run of form when you can almost guarantee there is going to be a stumble after Christmas?

Arsenal's 1-1 north London derby draw with Tottenham on Sunday is the kind of result that sees whispers about Arsene Wenger's team's failings emerge.

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More so than any other team, one bad result can wipe out six good ones in the minds of critics.

Yes, the draw seems like two points missed out on considering the way Arsenal have been playing, in contrast to the form of Tottenham going into the game.

Arsenal are unbeaten since the opening day of the season, with a six-game winning streak in the middle of that run.

And while the attacking play of Liverpool and Manchester City has made headlines, Alexis Sanchez-led Arsenal have not been far behind in terms of quality and entertainment.

But, being pragmatic, a draw with close title rivals is not a bad result. Tottenham have the league’s best defence, having conceded just five in 10 games before Sunday so Arsenal knew they would be a tough nut to crack.

What Arsenal should focus on is the positives.

They are now fourth in the table, but that is no big deal. They are two points off top spot on 24 and this title race is going to see the lead change week on week, based on the toughness of each team’s schedule. Tottenham are not out of it, just three points further back, and Manchester United (on 18) might get back in the mix.

So it is not like Arsenal are facing off against just one rival in a race to the finish.

Now, Arsenal’s traditional stumbles often happen in January or February, but this season the fixture list is so manageable that it is hard to see Wenger’s team not go flying into the latter months of the season in top form.

Focusing on the games of the top four, going into 2017 – Chelsea face away trips to Tottenham, Leicester and Liverpool, plus a home game with Arsenal, in the space of five matches.

Liverpool host Manchester City and Chelsea and visit United in the same stretch. They also have encounters with Sunderland and Swansea City so not as tough as Chelsea.

City travel to Liverpool and Everton (who held them to a draw at the Etihad Stadium) and host Tottenham along with a trip to West Ham United that, last season at least, was a tough prospect.

Arsenal’s six-game run in that period, if you include the December 26 fixture – West Browich Albion (home), Crystal Palace (h), Bournemouth (a), Swansea (a), Burnley (h), Watford (h).

That should be, on paper, 18 points if Arsenal perform well.

Combine that with the fact that Arsenal – their back four aside – also have the squad best equipped to deal with an injury crisis and the picture looks pretty rosy at the moment.

They only have three major tests between now and then too. Away trips to Manchester United, Manchester City and Everton, starting with a visit to Old Trafford a week on Saturday.

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