EPL 2011: Manchester United's Closest Challengers Are Arsenal

There used to be a time when everyone feared playing Chelsea, but now all has changed. Arsenal and Manchester United are once again locking horns for battle in what seems to be the most intriguing title for years.

Chelsea have dropped too many points this season.

Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba admitted that confidence is low, and mentality is not right in the camp. The Blues are solely focused on going on a run of winning games rather than focusing on the big prize. Carlo Ancelloti's men are fourth in the table, 10 points behind leaders Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson's men are unbeaten this season.  The Red Devils have shown some weaknesses in many games, but luck has been on their side. 

However, no one can dismiss how good United were against Birmingham at Old Trafford. The leaders smashed five goals past Ben Foster, and Berbatov was in emphatic form once again.  The Bulgarian has scored three hat-tricks this season, taking his goal tally to 17 in the league.  If Rooney starts to fire again, then everyone better brace themselves.

Despite the dominance from United, and their current run of form, they have not run away with it.  Arsenal are hot on their heels.  Arsene Wenger's men are second in the table, two points behind the leaders.  Arsenal have lost three games at home this season, and two away, yet the Gunners have revelled in recent form and look to mount a serious title challenge.

The only English team to be involved in all four competitions, the Gunners are hungry to end the trophy drought.  After the win against Chelsea, Arsenal have been mesmerising at the Emirates.  The game against Manchester United at the Emirates on 30th April 2011 could prove to be the decisive game—the winner could possibly be champions at the end of the season.

It would be foolish to rule out Manchester City as Mancini's men show they have all the right ingredients to push the top two right until the end of the season.