INTERESTING ANALYSIS
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35196466
Premier League title: Arsenal, Man City, Leicester or Tottenham?
Premier League titles are not won in December as the saying goes but and in this topsy-turvy season picking England's next champions five months early is a tricky ask.
Can Leicester do the unthinkable? Will this finally be Arsenal's year? At this stage last year, 13 points separated the top four, a gap which stands at just four points this season.
So who will break from the pack? BBC sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty (PM) gives us his verdict with the help of BBC Radio 5 live pundit Steve Claridge (SC).
1. Arsenal
Strengths:
PM: Arsenal have the creative brilliance of Mesut Ozil and goals from the attackers of the calibre of Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez. A crucial new factor is the vastly experienced Petr Cech in goal - not just a calming influence and world-class goalkeeper, but also a personality who knows what it takes to win Premier Leagues at Chelsea.
Per Mertesacker and Petr Cech
Three of Arsenal's four league defeats this season have arrived in away matches
Weaknesses:
SC: Arsenal's weaknesses are they have too many players in one position and not enough width and balance in their team. Defensively they can be suspect when they haven't got the ball so they can be vulnerable when they don't dominate the ball.
PM: Mental fragility. Have not yet provided conclusive evidence that they have conquered this block - and suspicions that flaw remains were raised again by the shocking 4-0 loss at Southampton on Boxing Day. Arsenal also suffer too many injuries.
Rio Ferdinand
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand seems to think Arsenal have a great chance to win their first title since 2002
What manager Arsene Wenger says: "In 2015, if you look back and try to analyse, we have been consistent and overall we had quite a positive year. We have stabilised defensively and improved our record against the strong teams in the Premier League. So it looks like we are on the right trend, the right way."
Phil McNulty's verdict: 1st