Danny Murphy has warned Arsenal's Premier League title rivals that the champions' six-point lead at the top of the table is a worrying sign, given the team has not yet hit top form this season.
The Gunners ended a 22-year wait for the title last term, beating Manchester City after three consecutive second-placed finishes. They were quickly installed as favourites to retain the crown, and Mikel Arteta's side have moved back to the summit after Saturday's 1-0 win over Hull City.
That result opened up a six-point gap over City, who also face the possibility of a significant points penalty after being found guilty of breaching financial rules.
Wins without top form
Arsenal have accumulated nine wins from their opening 10 league games this season, but Murphy believes they have done so without reaching the heights of their performances last year.
"I think what's worrying for everyone else is they've got this amount of wins, this amount of points, and they haven't really played that well," Murphy said on Match of the Day.
"Maybe in the Chelsea game they were outstanding but they've just got over the line other than that."
The former Liverpool and England midfielder added: "There's more to come from this team, make no qualms about that. I think they're in a wonderful position and a really great place."
Brighton tipped as challengers
Jamie Redknapp echoed similar sentiments after Manchester City fell to a third consecutive defeat, losing to Nottingham Forest. He suggested Brighton could yet emerge as Arsenal's biggest challengers, but feels Arteta's men will pull away as the season progresses.
"If you look at the league table, I think right now, probably the one you'd point to, and I never thought I'd say this at the start of the year, but it's Brighton," he said on Sky Sports.
"Arsenal have got Saliba coming back, the players they've got defensively, you'd never see Arsenal look as open as we saw Manchester City look [against Forest]."
"I don't really see anything else other than Arsenal running away with this title at the moment. I know it's really early but I just think they're so much better than everyone else in every single area."
Redknapp added: "It's the worst-case scenario for every team, when you see a team like that. Today they grind out a result; I just don't see anybody else."
