Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Ashley Cole names ‘strongest’ team in Premier League

Ashley Cole says Arsenal are the ‘strongest’ team in the Premier League and will be spurred on by the ‘confidence’ and ‘belief’ they gained from winning the title last season.

Arsenal kicked off their title defence in convincing fashion with a 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard hitting the target against Frank Lampard’s side at the Emirates.

The resounding win came just five days after the Gunners beat Manchester City by the same scoreline to get their hands on the Community Shield – the 18th time the club have claimed the prize in their history.

Mikel Arteta’s men will look to pick up where they left off when they return to top-flight action away to Aston Villa, managed by their former manager Unai Emery, who endured a miserable start to the campaign with a 4-0 thumping at Brighton.

The reigning English champions will then turn their attentions to what promises to be an intriguing contest at home to bitter rivals Chelsea – a crunch meeting of Cole’s two former clubs.

The Blues also ensured they got off to a winning start away to local neighbours Fulham on Monday night, with Cole Palmer looking back to his best and Morgan Rogers netting on his official debut for the Blues.

Asked to predict the eventual champions, Cole told Sky Sports: ‘I think it’s too early to say.

‘I think Arsenal look the strongest with what they’ve added and the confidence and belief they’ll have after their amazing season last year.

‘But who knows? It’s too early to say.’

Cole was encouraged by what he saw from Chelsea versus Fulham and believes Xabi Alonso will be ‘delighted’ with reaction he received from his squad.

‘Every job is tough, it’s about the reaction you get from your players,’ the ex-England left-back – who won the 2009/10 Premier League title with Chelsea – said.

‘He’s got that first reaction, a win away from home against a rival, so I think they’ll be delighted.

‘Hopefully they can get to higher levels through the season.’

Cole is also pleased to see Lampard winning hearts and minds with his work at Coventry, who his former team-mate steered to promotion last season.

‘First and foremost, what a great achievement to get them up and promoted and then the hard work starts again,’ he added.

‘You’re back in the Premier League, it’s a ruthless league, and the first game in the Premier League is against Arsenal.

‘Look, hopefully he can rally the boys and get them to go again in the next game.’

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