In Manchester City's case, one of the biggest factors has to be the form of star striker Erling Haaland.

He broke out the robot celebration at the Etihad on Sunday after adding another two goals to his tally in City's 3-1 win against high-flying Bournemouth.

Even by his standards, the big Norwegian is enjoying a remarkable season.

He has scored 13 goals in the first 10 Premier League games of the season - just two behind his own personal record of 15 in the first 10 set in 2022-23.

Les Ferdinand (13 in 1995-96) is the only other player in Premier League history to manage that many goals in the opening 10 games of a season.

Haaland also became only the third player ever to score two or more goals in four or more consecutive Premier League home appearances, after Robbie Fowler (four across 1995/1996) and Luis Suarez (five in 2013).

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Only last week we were considering the unlikely array of teams fighting for places near the top of the Premier League, with the majority of the usual challengers sitting outside the top four.

After the latest round of fixtures, the table stands:

• Arsenal - 25 pts
• Manchester City - 19 pts
• Liverpool - 18 pts

That order could change tonight, with promoted side Sunderland able to jump up to second place with a win at home to Everton in the final fixture of Gameweek 10.

But Opta's Supercomputer has pegged perennial winners Manchester City and defending champions Liverpool as Arsenal's main title challengers this season for a reason...

Image source, Getty Images