Arsenal 'right not to take anything for granted'
[Getty Images] Arsenal are clearly favourites again for the Premier League title but they are right not to take anything for granted. The weekend's super-efficient dispatch of Fulham in the first half, certainly looked like the work of champions. The mature swagger was back and so was Bukayo Saka.
The importance of having the England winger in the team and at his best has never looked starker. It is not only what he does with the ball himself, it is what he does for team-mates. Viktor Gyokeres looks a different player with Saka on the field and there are a few reasons for this.
It is no surprise to say that strikers love wide players who provide chances with classy crosses, but Saka also stretches defences. It is not because he runs beyond them that often, but because they know how dangerous he is and they have to double up and over cover. This leaves just a little more space for the strikers – and good strikers don't need a lot as Gyokeres showed with the opening goal.
To be fair it was served up on a plate by Saka with more class than a royal state dinner. One warning for Arsenal fans is that the league isn't theirs yet. Two of the past three games are away from home, against West Ham and Crystal Palace , these are not certainties.
Arsenal have drawn or lost eight of their 17 Premier League away games this season - and they have dropped points at Wolves and Nottingham Forest since January, other teams who were in the relegation dog fight. It is a long way from being over even if they are favourites.