Former Chelsea and England winger Joe Cole believes that a single factor could impede Arsenal from dominating the Premier League this season. Under the management of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has surged to the top of the table, boasting five consecutive league victories and eight wins in their first ten matches, establishing a six-point buffer ahead of their closest competitors.
Arsenal’s impressive run is underscored by their formidable defense, which has achieved eight consecutive clean sheets across all competitions. This weekend, Arsenal faces a potentially challenging fixture against Sunderland at The Stadium of Light, with an opportunity to extend their lead to nine points. This would place added pressure on both Manchester City and Liverpool, who are set to clash on Sunday in a pivotal match for the standings.
As the team prepares for the international break, Cole expressed confidence in Arsenal’s current form. “I believe Arsenal will run away with the league,” he stated during an interview with Paddy Power. He acknowledged that while Liverpool and Manchester City may re-enter the title race, he has not seen a team as defensively strong since Chelsea’s peak in the mid-2000s.
Arsenal’s success is further bolstered by a significant recruitment drive, with over £250 million spent on eight new players during the summer transfer window. This investment has deepened the squad’s quality, allowing them to maintain competitiveness even with key players like Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke sidelined due to injuries.
At the heart of Arsenal’s defense, the pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes has proven to be a solid foundation. Cole highlighted that a serious injury to either of these central defenders could pose the greatest risk to Arsenal’s title aspirations. “I can’t see any chinks in their armour,” he remarked, adding, “the only possible thing that could stop them would be Saliba and, or, Gabriel being injured for a significant period of the season.”
Arteta, however, remains cautious regarding the title race. He rejected the notion that Arsenal has already secured a commanding position. “No, I don’t agree, sorry, because any team has the capacity and I’m sure the belief as well that they can do it,” he remarked. “We are fully aware of that. We know our strength, we know the things that we have to improve as well and we just focus on that.”
As Arsenal continues to lead the Premier League, the coming weeks will test their resolve and depth as they navigate both domestic and international competitions. The team’s performance against Sunderland will be closely watched, as fans and analysts alike ponder whether they can maintain their momentum into the heart of the season.
