Why I'm convinced Arsenal can win the title - I've even bet my dinner on it

By Darren Lewis

Published 10:38 16/03/10

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Since the start of the season I've had a friendly wager with my Mirrorfootball colleague John Cross that Arsenal will win the title.

Dinner in an expensive restaurant will be coming my way should Arsene Wenger's men prevail and I am already making a date in my diary to accommodate Crossie.

Partly because there is now an invincible spirit at the heart of the Gunners' title drive which saw has seen them over the line on several occasions this season in the kind of game they used to lose last term.

Partly because Chelsea and Manchester United could well cut each others' throats when they meet on April 3.

And partly because Wenger has built a squad which has coped impressively with the loss though injury of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey to name but a few of their key men.

It was because of the vast array of prodigious, attacking options at Wenger's disposal in the first place that I believed they could do it. And throughout the season, despite the impressive form of Chelsea and United, I have never changed my mind.

I just hope complacency doesn't set in throughout the final few furlongs. They may have what many people describe as the easiest run-in but you could see against Hull that, initially, the Gunners expected to cruise to the three points and were eventually made to sweat for it.

But if you happen to be at a half-decent eaterie come May time, and you see a bloke filling his face, come up and say hello. It might just be me.

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