Inside Arsenal's revival: Are hopes of a top four finish realistic for Mikel Arteta's surging Gunners?

Arsenal have the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League and the top four in their sights

It has taken them long enough, but Arsenal might finally have reached the stage where Mikel Arteta is not one defeat away from discord and drama. Heading to Liverpool on Saturday, another thumping on a par with those suffered against Manchester City and Chelsea would be an unwelcome check on the Gunner's surging momentum, but it is unlikely unleash the customary doom and gloom that has engulfed the club's fanbase for the last several years. Chelsea 19.80 11.79 8.01 6.83 Manchester City 21.74 7.46 14.28 7.33 West Ham 19.23 13.07 6.16 3.75 Liverpool 26.49 12.32 14.17 10.03 Arsenal 13.82 16.37 -2.55 4.17 Manchester United 15.62 16.42 -0.80 -0.78 Brighton 12.86 12.84 0.02 -0.63 Wolverhampton Wanderers 15.33 13.29 2.04 -0.85

For Arteta in particular, it was perhaps only in this 10 game stretch that he finally shook off the disastrous run of form from before last Christmas that threatened to reluctantly force the hand of Arsenal's hierarchy. Those above the manager were insistent in public and private that they would hold on to their coach before a 3-0 win over Chelsea acted as a release valve on the mounting pressure. It should be noted that the backing of senior figures, in particular the Kroenke family that own the club, was equally fulsome in the slow start to this season. Over his 100 games at the club Arteta has ushered in ecstatic highs and blistering lows. Those who gave him his first managerial job have never wavered in their belief that he is the right man.