Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations received a significant boost with a victory over Crystal Palace, as they extended their lead at the top of the table. The Gunners went into Sunday’s match with a two-point advantage over second-place Sunderland and an extra game to play, while rivals Liverpool and Chelsea both suffered surprising losses on Saturday.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side have now solidified their own position with another win. This means that Arsenal have now won seven successive matches in all competitions, a streak that has led many to tip them as favourites to claim the Premier League title this season, 22 years after their last league triumph.
This means that Arsenal have now won seven successive matches in all competitions, a streak that has led many to tip them as favourites to claim the Premier League title this season, 22 years after their last league triumph.
Despite it still being early days in the season, the Gunners’ impressive form has prompted Pep Guardiola to make his own prediction about the title race, with Manchester City set to be contenders for the crown with star striker Erling Haaland back in fine form.
Meanwhile, Arteta has provided a glimpse into the depth of his squad by revealing how they voted for Martin Odegaard to captain the side this season, with four other players forming part of his leadership group. Following the Gunners’ victory over Palace, here’s all the latest news from around the Emirates Stadium.
Guardiola makes title prediction
Pep Guardiola has weighed in on the title race debate, saying he believes that Arsenal will surrender “few” points over the course of the campaign. The City manager also backed Liverpool to remain in contention despite their recent slump, while he suggested a third unnamed club would also prove difficult to shake off in the fight for the title.
While Arne Slot’s side were tipped as favourites before the season began following their strong previous campaign and substantial summer spending, they have now suffered four consecutive Premier League defeats. Ahead of City’s clash with Aston Villa, Guardiola praised both Arteta and Slot’s sides as he gave his verdict on the potential title challengers.
“In the Premier League, I have the feeling now that Arsenal is not going to drop much points,” he said. “So that is the reality. I have that feeling with Arsenal, with Liverpool as well. Now Liverpool lost their last games – not in the Champions League in Frankfurt – but I saw the game against United, they had incredible chances to win the game. So I think Liverpool remain one of the main favourites to do that.
“The distance, three, four points at this stage is nothing,” he added. “I always had the feeling that both teams and maybe another one, they will lose few, few points. That’s why we have to be there.”
Vote made on captain
Arteta has also given an insight into the wealth of leaders within his squad and opened up about the influence that captain Martin Odegaard has around the club. With Arsenal currently enjoying a fine run of form, their strength has been underpinned by the five players who make up Arteta’s leadership group. They are Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel and Mikel Merino.
However, with only one player serving as the official captain of the club, that honour was bestowed upon Odegaard again ahead of the new season. The Gunners boss disclosed that the Norway international was the clear favourite among his teammates, who conducted a dressing room vote to select a captain.
“By a mile, by a big, big 100 marks, everybody chose the same person, which is Martin Odegaard,” Arteta said. “[That] is the most clear sign that you can have, how they feel about who has to be their captain to defend, improve and win the matches that we want to win. So, I mean, there’s no question about that.
“Martin doesn’t need to open his mouth and everybody says ‘he’s my captain, I want him to represent, I trust him 100 per cent, he’s the guy I want to have next to me.”
In addition to the primary leadership group, Arteta can also rely on several other seasoned squad members, including William Saliba, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, David Raya, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori.
