I don't fully understand people who just say this is just current form for Arsenal.
This is the table from this season after the first 3 games:
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pre...le/wettbewerb/GB1?saison_id=2021&min=4&max=19
Arsenal are 2nd for the past 16 games. (Probably 3rd after everyone plays fixtures). I know this doesn't mean a whole lot, but considering for the first 3 games of this season we had 9 injuries/covid cases whilst most the rest of the league was fit, and we played a full strength Chelsea and City in this time, i'd say it does mean something. Also barely any of our new signings played in those 3 games, and they've made a huge impact.
2nd point is, in the past 12 months, we are 2nd to City in terms of league points (this was yesterday not sure if it's changed or not). To me that isn't form. One whole year, which equates to 43 straight league games, and we're 2nd in the table. At what point does that turn from form, to being just the actual state of play?
Now i'll admit that yes this is part cherry picking, and the last step is to see it over a full 38 game season, which maybe is this season, but to anyone who says this has come from nowhere from Arsenal and they'll revert to type, what exactly is that type? To me it's very even between United, Spurs and Arsenal for 4th spot. United have the best squad, but have no real identity at the moment and are quickly running out of time to gain it. Spurs and Arsenal seem to have a set team now which is plugging through games and collecting points. If United manage to find their best XI in the next 2-3 games, then i'd say they have it to maintain that the rest of the season.
Also just a point that people make on Arteta not being able to beat big sides. People seem to forget when he first joined, it was the opposite. He could beat big sides, but struggled against smaller ones. Granted this is when we played 5atb mostly to help with that, but I don't think we'll suddenly turn into a side who can beat every team within 2 years. It will take much longer, especially needing the younger players to get more experience for those situations.