A new English Premier League season has arrived, and as has become custom, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is the favorite to win the title. Winners of the last four Premier League titles and six of the last seven, City has crushed everything in its path under Guardiola and seems primed to do it again.

Unless Mikel Arteta's Arsenal squad has something to say about it. The Gunners finished second last season, missing out on the title on the final day of the season after a runner-up finish in 2022-2023. Perhaps at many other times in Premier League history, this Arsenal bunch would be the toast of the league — a few trophies to show for its work and a couple of parades through London in the rearview mirror. 

But it's not that easy when matched against this Manchester City squad. As a new season looms, Arteta and Arsenal may have one more chance to dethrone City. Guardiola's contract ends after this season and aging stars Kevin De Bruyne (33) and Kyle Walker (34) don't have much left. An unprecedented fifth title in a row could be the final chapter.

It will take everything Arsenal has to pry the trophy away from City. It's a legacy-making season for Arsenal: win the league and become legends who ended City's reign or lose again and cement a status as a quality side, but simply a footnote in the league's story.

The margin for error is razor-thin. Last season, Arsenal defeated City in October and played to a draw in late March, but a 2-0 defeat on April 14 to Aston Villa sealed its fate as runner-up. Arsenal's 89 points would have won or shared the Premier League title in 20 of the league's 32 seasons, but five of City's six title seasons have been at 89 points or more. 

Take a look at the points totals that have seen Premier League champions crowned in previous seasons

Read all about these landmark points tallies as we build up to #TheKickOff https://t.co/Nj6piG7xVI pic.twitter.com/AewQCEdGAH

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 13, 2024

Perhaps Arsenal is the team of the future and Arteta is the league's new mastermind on the touchline should Guardiola leave. If it happens in 2025-2026, it's considered the inevitable turning of the page that happens in sports. If it happens this season, it means Arsenal came and took it. 

The pieces are there to pull it off. Much of the squad remains the same, but the Gunners did sign Riccardo Calafiori to shore up the left-back position. A staunch defense will be relied on and up front Arsenal will need Kai Havertz to be near the top of his form to supplement Bukayo Saka, who played in 56 games for club and country last season.

Should the Gunners pull off the league title, they will become legends. They can be the club that potentially ends the City dynasty as we know it and Arteta can triumph over his mentor, Guardiola. A parade could be organized in North London in May.

There's little room for error, though, and legacies will be made one way or another.