Only two outcomes await Arsenal from their position atop the Premier League table: agony or ecstasy. The club's supporters lurch helplessly between the two extremes, contemplating the glory of a first title since 2003-04's "Invincibles" and the ignominy of losing the eight-point lead they will hold on April 1.

This roller coaster of emotions renders all remaining games a health hazard, each setback delivering a sense of foreboding that a fine season could suddenly collapse, while every positive moment is fresh affirmation that this really is going to be their year.

Gunners fans never expected to find themselves in this position, and whatever happens over the next two months, some solace will come from the progress the club have already made. Yet the sense of opportunity before them is clear. Arsenal have played the best football in England this term and produced the greatest level of consistency for 75% of the campaign.

But City have proved themselves capable of going on a winning streak when it matters most. In the final 10 games of the past three seasons, City took 2.4 points per game (ppg) in 2019-20, 2.1ppg in 2020-21 and 2.4ppg in 2021-22. In the same period, Arsenal managed 1.6ppg, 2.0ppg and 1.5ppg.

So, as they attempt to deny Manchester City their fifth title in six seasons, what are the remaining obstacles in Arsenal's way, and do the fans really think they can get over the line? ESPN spoke to four prominent Arsenal supporters — Tim Payton, Arsenal Supporters Trust Board Member; Boyd Hilton, host of the "Footballistically Arsenal" podcast; Lois Langton, former Arsenal Independent Supporters Association chair; and Faisal Khan, founder of Arsenal-focused YouTube channel "Latte Firm" — to find out.

 

Q. What is the general mood among Arsenal fans?

Payton: "There is a saying in British politics about feeling like 'a man carrying a priceless Ming vase across a highly polished floor.' Anticipation, nervous, cautious. There are 10 cup ties left now. You can really feel the excitement but also the sense of tension as well because it has become something to throw away."

Hilton: "Mainly excitement for me and the pleasure we are taking in the football we are playing. It is extraordinary to think how quickly [manager Mikel] Arteta has turned us into this attacking machine. Every time I do a podcast or I talk to fans at the Emirates I tell them we've got to enjoy this while it is happening because it is so unexpected and so unbelievable. We are aware we are going to be telling our grandchildren about this, even if we don't win the league with how far we've come with 10 games to go.

"In the late-Arsene Wenger era when we had some pretty good players — [Mesut] Ozil, Alexis Sanchez — every now and again we did play some decent football, but it did get kind of stodgy and predictable. And there was no connection to those players like there is now. There is something really special about the personality of the team that translates to us in the crowd. But there's an underlying sense of fear, uncertainty and anxiety. Maybe that's just me."