Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that Arsenal are contenders to win the Premier League title this season, as quoted in The Irish Mirror.
While Guardiola believes that Liverpool are the biggest favourites, the former Barcelona boss considers Arsenal among the challengers.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has also praised the Gunners and has suggested that Mikel Arteta’s side are in the race for the title.
The Irish Mirror quotes Guardiola as saying: “They (Liverpool) are the biggest favourite, but I think with what’s happened with the pandemic, the situation is a bit different. I see other teams who are strong.
“Leicester maintained the level from last season, apart from the last month-and-a-half of it when they dropped points, but now have incredibly solid results.
“Arsenal made a big step forward to be contenders. At Tottenham, Jose Mourinho has the team that he wants. Chelsea are so stable now, not conceding goals, scoring a lot and they have a huge squad for rotating top players. Manchester United, in this moment, are not [doing well] in terms of results, but we saw the quality they had last season.”
Klopp told Sky Sports: “Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Leicester are really good. Everton – unfortunately – really good. Maybe I forgot somebody. Manchester United, people write off always pretty early and in the end they will be there as well.”
Are Arsenal title challengers?
Arsenal are doing well at the moment, as manager Arteta is starting to build a team in his own image.
The Gunners are playing good football, and while the North London club could do with adding more consistency to their results, they are winning matches at regular intervals.
While it is very encouraging for Arsenal that Guardiola and Klopp rate them highly, the main objective for Arteta’s side this season has to be to finish in the top four in the Premier League table and get back in the Champions League.
Arsenal will return to action on Sunday evening when they take on Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
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