Murphy claims title rivals should be 'worried' by Arsenal's slow start
Danny Murphy believes Arsenal's Premier League rivals should be alarmed by just how effective the Gunners have been without yet playing to their potential this season.
Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the table after a narrow 1-0 win over Hull City at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, Martin Odegaard's late strike settling a stubborn contest. The gap was extended further when Manchester City suffered a third straight Premier League defeat, this time at Nottingham Forest.
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Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day, Murphy pointed to the numbers behind Arsenal's start as the real cause for concern among the chasing pack.
“These numbers, 27 points after 10 games, that club normally wins the title,” Murphy said, as quoted by Football365. “I think what's worrying for everyone else is they've got this amount of wins, this amount of points, and they haven't really played that well. Maybe in the Chelsea game they were outstanding but they've just got over the line other than that.”
The former Liverpool and England midfielder went further, suggesting Mikel Arteta's side still have more in the tank as the campaign progresses.
“There's more to come from this team, make no qualms about that,” Murphy added. “I think they're in a wonderful position and a really great place.”
Squad depth praised
Sat alongside Murphy in the studio, former England Lioness Steph Houghton echoed the sentiment, highlighting Arsenal's squad depth as a key factor behind the club's position at the summit.
“It's obvious how much quality Arsenal already had in their squad and with Arteta being there for a number of years and they've added two or three more players this season,” Houghton said. “When you have an environment that is really stable and with Arteta, you know what jobs you need to do as a player. So I feel as though at this moment in time, with that squad depth and the fact you can bring on the likes of Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino in the second half, it does become an advantage when you're already top of the league.”
What's next for Arsenal
Brighton have the chance to trim Arsenal's lead to five points if they beat Brentford, but the Gunners remain firmly in control heading into the November international break.
Arsenal's run of fixtures after the break looks challenging on paper, with a trip to face Newcastle followed by a Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund. That sets up a heavyweight clash with Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on November 29, a fixture that could prove pivotal in the title race.
