Patrick Vieira rates Arsenal’s title chances after ‘really strong’ Mikel Arteta statement

Patrick Vieira says Arsenal are in an excellent position to end their long wait for the Premier League trophy after making a ‘really strong statement’ in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal have finished as runners-up in each of the previous three seasons under Mikel Arteta, with Liverpool storming to the title last term following back-to-back wins for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

But the Gunners ensured they entered this month’s international break with a one-point lead over the champions, Liverpool, who have encountered their first major bump since Arne Slot took over the reins from Jurgen Klopp.

This weekend, Mikel Arteta’s men will look to pick up where they left off when they return to top-flight action away to a Fulham side badly struggling for confidence after two defeats on the spin.

Two of Arsenal’s more established names, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, were on target as the north Londoners edged out West Ham in a 2-0 victory last time out at the Emirates.

But Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Eberechi Eze have all also played their part since arriving through the doors across a busy summer of comings and goings – and Vieira has been mightily impressed.

‘I don’t know if it’s a good year or not because the Premier League is really competitive,’ legendary ex-Arsenal captain Vieira, now the manager of Genoa, told Sky Sports.

‘I think Arteta made a really strong statement by bringing those players in the summer. On the field, so far, they’re doing really good games.

‘I believe that Arsenal is a part of those few teams that can win the Premier League.

‘I think you will have to count on Arsenal to be competitive and to be there to fight until the end because the players they managed to bring in will put the quality of the team on a different level.’

Vieira’s long-time team-mate, Thierry Henry, is similarly optimistic about Arsenal’s hopes of winning major silverware this season.

According to the iconic Frenchman, Arsenal’s all-time top scorer, the greater ‘strength in depth’ gives his former club ‘big chances’ to achieve special things over the coming months.

‘I do believe when you go through a season that you need your bench to bail you out,’ Henry told CBS Sports after the Gunners’ recent Champions League win over Olympiakos.

‘This is why Arsenal, this year, have big chances to win stuff because the bench will change the game for you.

Henry added: ‘Every single time someone comes off the bench and scores… if you you want to win, go far and deep in competitions, you need to have depth in your squad and guys that can do it when they come on.

‘Don’t see it as, “I’m on the bench, I’m not starting”, and start to cry about it.

‘The group has to win, that’s the most important thing.’

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