‘It’s not normal’ – Micah Richards makes huge Arsenal claim ahead of Chelsea clash

Micah Richards claims Arsenal have the ‘best squad in Europe’ and says Mikel Arteta’s most potent weapon is ‘not normal’.

The Gunners have enjoyed a sensational first-half to the season and sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.

Arteta’s side have lost just once all season – ironically to floundering defending champions Liverpool – but will have their cushion cut to three points if second-placed Chelsea win at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal have been equally impressed in Europe and maintained their perfect start to the Champions League on Wednesday night with a 3-1 win over German champions Bayern Munich.

The Gunners are the only team in the Champions League to win their opening five games and have remarkably conceded just one goal so far.

Richards was hugely impressed by Arsenal’s victory over Bayern Munich – who tasted defeat for the first time this season – and declared Arteta’s squad at the Emirates Stadium as the ‘best in Europe’.

The former England defender also said Arsenal’s threat from set-pieces is ‘not normal’.

Arsenal have scored 11 goals via set-pieces this season, two more than any other side, with their next opponents Chelsea second on nine.

Analysing Arsenal’s form on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards said: ‘How good are Arsenal, by the way?

‘Their threat at set-pieces is not normal, how can you get the delivery right every single time? It’s not normal. I don’t know how they’re doing it.

‘They’ve got a few injuries but they’re coping because they’ve got the best squad in Europe. Maybe not the best XI when everyone is fit but in terms of the squad, it’s brilliant.

‘They look special this season. A couple of seasons ago Rob Holding came in for a big game and he wasn’t great. But now you’ve got [Piero] Hincapie and [Cristian] Mosquera who are both doing ever so well.

‘The squad is just ridiculous and so powerful. They can make a few changes and the standard doesn’t drop, the squad is just amazing.’

Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer echoed Richards’ comments by declaring Arsenal’s squad ‘undoubtedly’ the best in the Premier League.

‘The only team that has been consistent has been Arsenal, whereas everyone else has been really up and down,’ Shearer told Betfair.

‘They’ve got the strongest squad there’s no doubt, and they’ve had injuries, but you wouldn’t have thought that, because of the quality of players that come in.

‘I mean, Madueke’s been out, he comes back at the weekend, and then scores mid-week. That’s the sign that they’ve got a really strong squad.

‘They will believe that they can win it [the Premier League], and they’ll also say that there’s still such a long way to go, and that’s what they have to say.

‘But Arsenal have been the standout team by an absolute mile at the minute. In every competition, basically, in the Champions League and in the league.’

Arsenal’s hopes of a first Premier League title since 2004 have been boosted by a shocking dip from defending champions Liverpool.

Arne Slot’s side suffered a 4-1 defeat to PSV during the week and have now lose nine of their last 12 games – the club’s worst run since 1953.

Manchester City have also shown a fragility that threatens to blow their title challenge, dropping points in five of their 12 league games so far.

Arsenal’s upcoming opponents Chelsea look set to mount a genuine title challenge, however, winning five of their last six games and thumping Barcelona in the Champions League.

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