A new contract offer appears to be forthcoming for Arsene Wenger .
And the Frenchman is bullish about landing a first Premier League title since 2004 too.
Wenger reckons it will take a maximum of 86 points to win the league this season.
That is 15 points more than Arsenal managed last season when they finished as runners-up, 10 points behind champions Leicester.
It would also be their highest total since their last title triumph 12 years ago, secured with 90 points.
But Wenger – who chairman Sir Chips Keswick said yesterday is the man to “to take us forward” – reckons Arsenal are better placed than they have been for some years to fight for the title.
They have gone unbeaten since an opening day defeat to Liverpool and are sandwiched between Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the league, with all three on 20 points.
The best pictures from Arsenal's training session ahead of their EFL Cup tie:
Addressing the club’s AGM on Monday, Wenger said: “Today we are in a much more competitive position than five, six years ago to fight for the championship.
“I believe we have a competitive team in a very competitive league and if you look well after nine games now you can see the first trend is set.
“It is about 20 points that means the championship will be decided between 82 to 86 points.”
Arsenal’s AGM has been a stormy event in previous years but their encouraging start to this season ensured it was much calmer this time around.
Whether Arsenal can maintain their form and win some silverware will help determine whether Wenger stays on as manager, with Keswick suggesting new contract talks are planned.
Wenger said: “We have an important month in front of us because when you look at the schedule, the end of October and November could be a very important moment for us because we have many big games and the fact we get all our injuries back and everybody on board certainly could play a key part in that.
“I believe the team has the commitment, togetherness, unity, desire and hunger and we have a good chance to compete for the Premier League.
“Our challenge is to compete for absolutely everything, starting tomorrow in the League Cup.
“I believe we have a squad that is more mature and better equipped to face all the challenges we have.”
Arsenal host Championship Reading in the EFL Cup fourth round on Tuesday.
The last two cup clashes between the clubs have both gone to extra time and been dramatic – Arsenal’s 7-5 league cup away win in 2012 and a 2-1 FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley last year.
Wenger said: “It’s always tense with them and always passionate and you would expect that again but I am confident that we are focused and will want to respond after our 0-0 (against Middlesbrough) on Saturday.”
Carl Jenkinson will make his first appearance since January after recovering from a serious knee injury.
Gabriel Paulista and Rob Holding will start at centre-back, Kieran Gibbs will captain the side and Lucas Perez, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alex Iwobi will also feature.