The early years of the 21st century saw Arsenal rule the roost in women's football in England. They missed out on just one league title between 2001-2012. 

But the change in landscape of the women's game has also seen the Gunners' dominance get loosened. 

It's easier to pick out which domestic trophies Arsenal didn't win in the early 2000s
And now they're giving Chelsea a run for their money this season

They carried on winning titles like they were going out of fashion in the early years of the Women's Super League era but Arsenal have far from had it their own way since 2012. 

Liverpool briefly coming to play at the top of women's football, Manchester City winning the title, plus the emergence of Chelsea as a force has seen Arsenal fall off their throne - only once have the north Londoners won the league in the last decade.

But this season is shaping up to have a familiar feel to it, with Arsenal top of the tree going into their WSL clash at Manchester United on Saturday. 

How Jonas Eidevall's side have caught up with Chelsea, who have been WSL champions for the last two seasons, is on the surface a mystery especially given star forward Vivianne Miedema has been somewhat off colour this term with just eight goals so far. 

The summer signings of Nikita Parris and Tobin Heath will have certainly lifted morale but neither player has particularly set things alight so far. 

The way Eidevall wants to play has been key to Arsenal's success, his high press suiting the squad down to the ground, reveals full-back Katie McCabe. But Eidevall's predecessor, Joe Montemurro, deserves some credit too.

The team has bought into the Swede's vision and it's leading to great results

She said in November: "As a whole, Joe Montemurro set the foundations of getting the Arsenal identity back in terms of possession and free-flowing football. 

"And ever since Jonas has come in, he's implemented his style and philosophy where we counter-attack, we press high up the pitch and we've added different dimensions to our game."

So while Miedema may not be going through a typical hot goalscoring streak, the new playing style has led to many more contributing those all-important goals for the WSL's top scorers this season. Kim Little (6), Beth Mead (5) and McCabe (4) join the Dutch forward in the top ten scorers in the WSL this term. 

The players have bought into this system, which was reflected perfectly in the season's opening weekend as Arsenal secured a heroic 3-2 win over the reigning champions.

Can this Arsenal side go all the way in the WSL?

Statement results like these will inevitably lead to huge confidence and also breeds a never-say-die attitude in the camp - Arsenal have salvaged points with stoppage-time equalisers at both rivals Tottenham and 2016 champions City earlier in the season too. 

Arsenal know they can ill-afford a slip-up against the Red Devils on Saturday, with second-placed Chelsea four points behind but crucially with a game in hand. 

But a win over Man United and if Man City can do them a favour by taking points off Emma Hayes' side and the Arsenal faithful will be dreaming of another title and a potential return to the good 'old' days.