Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger stunned at the close and diverse title race unfolding this season

Arsene Wenger dipped into his memory on Saturday evening and found nothing. There has never, in his recollection, been a title race quite so close or diverse in two decades of Premier League management.

That as many as five teams are still in contention behind Chelsea in the middle of January has simply stunned Arsenal’s manager, whose side added volume to their own claim by obliterating Swansea.

Such is the congestion and rarity of the leading teams dropping points, Arsenal hopped from fifth in the table to third in the space of one Saturday afternoon, with full knowledge that yesterday’s fixtures involving Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City had the potential to dump them right back outside the top four again.

In his 20 years of management Arsene Wenger says he has never seen a title race this close

In his 20 years of management Arsene Wenger says he has never seen a title race this close

It’s been the same story week on week for the super six, a game of snakes and ladders during each of the 21 rounds of fixtures for all bar Chelsea, who have a margin of error at the top but who also must put out the astonishing fire set in their own home by the Diego Costa situation.


That has been a fascinating development in this title battle as the Premier League enters what Wenger believes will be the decisive six-week stretch, when the two cup competitions and the return of the Champions League typically wreak havoc with squads.

‘It’s the first time in my 20 years that, in this period of the season, you have six teams all fighting,’ he said.

‘The advantage is still for Chelsea but you can see if you look around you they are all doing well. There is nobody dropping off. It’s down to who can be consistent, who can keep your nerves. You have to focus on your game and be together to hope that you can come out on top in the end.

Wenger acknowledges he has problems to solve regarding the contract of Alexis Sanchez

Wenger acknowledges he has problems to solve regarding the contract of Alexis Sanchez

SUPER STAT

Alexis Sanchez has been involved in most PL goals of any player this season (14 goals, seven assists).

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‘But we’re still in January. In February you go into Europe, into the cups. You go into big games, so who can maintain it? Nobody can tell.’

The mystery is deepened by Chelsea and what happens next between Antonio Conte and Costa. 

Wenger declined to put forward his view on those shenanigans, saying: ‘I have enough problems, I don’t need a Costa problem on top of that.’

But there is no denying the situation at Stamford Bridge could potentially open the door for the pack, including Arsenal, who have straightforward home games against Burnley and Watford before their big assignment at Chelsea on February 4.

Wenger, as he acknowledged, has his own issues to address, with contract extensions for Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez unsigned. 

The Gunners are in a rich vein of form and stormed to a 4-0 victory over Swansea 

The Gunners are in a rich vein of form and stormed to a 4-0 victory over Swansea 

Far from downing tools, each continues to excel, particularly Sanchez, who was brilliant at Swansea but drew attention after throwing a tantrum at his late substitution.

‘Individually, you want everybody to behave very well,’ Wenger said. ‘When they don’t, well, we don’t live in a perfect world.

‘He is a guy who wants to fight everywhere. Sometimes where he shouldn’t. It’s part of it. If you are a football player, you want to play every minute.’