Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle has backed Arsenal and Mikel Arteta to challenge for the Premier League title in ‘two years’ time.
As players head for the international break ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Arsenal are sitting top of the Premier League table, as Hoddle praised the team for winning their most recent game at Brentford with ‘flying colours’.
A couple of key players were missing for Arteta, with captain Martin Odegaard being replaced by Fabio Vieira, who scored a stunning goal on his first Premier League start for the club.
Versatile star Oleksandr Zinchenko was also out of the previous fixture, but Kieran Tierney filled that left-back role in a pretty comfortable fashion.
In truth, it’s not a case of the Scotsman filling that role, but knocking on that door and showcasing to Arteta that the left-back spot is still his and he will find out down the line if he remains number one.
Nonetheless, with Arsenal flying high after seven Premier League games, Hoddle thinks this young side can go places in years to come, as he told Premier League Productions.
“It’s nicely set up and both will feel they can get a result (in NLD),” said Hoddle. “Brentford was a hard game away from home. Zinchenko and Odegaard, both came out of the team through injury, yet they came through with flying colours.
“It was normal. They didn’t miss those two players. I thought they would. They were just functioning the same way and in the same style. Everyone is doing their jobs.
“It looks like everyone is doing their jobs defensively, whereas I felt they were vulnerable last season. They are a group of youngsters that I think could be looking to challenge the league in two years’ time, let alone we all have to beat Manchester City.
“Perhaps not yet, their battle will be getting into the top four. But they have a team and squad that’s going to grow, which is a good sign for Arsenal.”
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THE FIRST AIM
The longer Arsenal are talked about as Premier League title contenders, the more chance they have of securing Champions League football this season.
In the long run, even the most ardent of Arsenal supporters will admit that they are nowhere near the Premier League champions Manchester City and possibly challenging them for their crown.
But the first step and perhaps the most difficult step will be securing that top-four spot.
It’s a jam-packed fight for those places and Arsenal will be well aware that if they slip-up during crucial moments, then just like the previous campaign, it will cost them.
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