Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims Arsenal are title contenders this season after their impressive start. The Gunners legend went on to add that he feels Arsenal have no significant weaknesses in the squad.
Speaking to The Mirror last week, the three-time Premier League winning manager said: “I would say they are moving in the right direction. I honestly think there is no weak position in the team… they are young, promising players and they have bought well this year.
“There is no completely dominating team this season and Arsenal has a chance with the potential that is there. We used to be in the top four and why not again? You cannot even rule out the fact that they can fight for the title and hopefully they can do it.”
Arsenal bounced back from a disappointing yet undeserved defeat to Manchester United a fortnight ago by brushing Brentford aside at the Gtech Community Stadium. Arteta’s side ran away 3-0 winners with a very mature performance, not giving Brentford a sniff at goal. Sunday’s game saw The Bees register their least amount of shots in a Premier League game since being promoted, getting off a mere five strikes at goal.
Wenger’s sentiments towards Arsenal’s ambitions was echoed by the Gunners’ all-time top scorer and arguably the greatest PL player ever, Thierry Henry. Talking on CBS Sports last week, France’s all-time top scorer said: “I believe [in the team]. I didn’t believe for a long time that we could do something … I worry about the Europa League because of the depth of the team. I think the starting XI is good enough, but when you’re going into these games at one point during the season, a long season and it might be a bit much, but I can see a team togetherness, and I like that.”
Henry went on to praise new Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus’ impact on the team: “What it is with Gabriel Jesus’ arrival is that he won. He’s bringing that into the team and you can see it.
“Having said that, the way we beat Fulham and the way we beat Villa, we were a bit emotional at times.”
Following his side’s loss at the hands of the Gunners, Brentford boss Thomas Frank spoke glowingly about Arsenal in his post-match press conference and tipped them to be up there come the end of the season.
“I think Arsenal are very good at the moment,” he said.
“I think actually for me the performance was not ten out of ten, and to beat a team like Arsenal we need that and need Arsenal to drop a little bit. That didn’t happen today.
“We would have caused a lot of teams in the Premier League trouble and got a win or a draw out of what we did today.
“You could tell it was a big game for Arsenal, the way they celebrated in the huddle for the first goal.
“I don’t know what they said but they put a lot of effort in and showed us a lot of respect but in the end, they won fair and square and showed before the game why I said they were title contenders.”
Arsenal are very much on the up and are playing the best football in the league bar none. That is, of course, until Manchester City kick into full gear. However, the Gunners are in a strong position to achieve their objective this season, which would be to qualify for the next campaign’s UEFA Champions League. A title charge at this point would be a bit premature in terms of Arsenal’s long-term plan, but success at any point is most welcome.
It must be exciting being an Arsenal fan currently.