The Premier League is often lauded as the best league in the world.

It’s certainly the richest. And the competition this season is fierce — there’s only a seven-point difference that sandwiches nine teams from second down to 10th.

But there has been a palpable shift this year. For a league known for its speed and skill, a more industrial approach seems to have taken hold.

It’s neither good nor bad, it’s just a shift. Sports are all cyclical and when one approach works, you see teams try and find a way to counter them.

In many ways this has started from the top. Arsenal sit five points clear based on a bedrock of solid defending, longer counterattacks, set pieces and long throw-ins.

It’s remarkable Arsenal have given up just seven goals in fourteen games. Prevent goals going in and be

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