Predictions are flooding in as Arsenal prepare for their Premier League season opener against Wolves on Saturday.
The wait is almost over for Mikel Arteta’s side to return to competitive action after a long summer of preparation.
Arsenal fell just two points short of Manchester City in the 2023/24 title race, with another opportunity to get the better of Pep Guardiola’s side now on the table.
Before thoughts of Premier League bragging rights come to mind in North London, the Gunners must secure an opening day win against Wolves on Saturday.
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards predict Arsenal to win the Premier League
The 2024/25 Premier League calendar gets underway on Friday night as Manchester United host Fulham.
As the new season dawns, outright predictions are being made in their masses, with Arsenal’s claim to be crowned Premier League champions now evaluated.
Taking to The Rest Is Football Podcast, punditry trio Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and Gary Lineker shared their thoughts on Arsenal’s title chances.
While Lineker predicted that another second place finish could be on the cards for the Gunners, Shearer and Richards had higher hopes for Arteta’s side.
Shearer said, “If they [Arsenal] sign a top class striker between now and the end of the window, if they get that striker in, I think they’ll win the league.”
Richards responded with, “I actually think Arsenal do win it,” dismissing Shearer’s call for Edu to bring in a number nine before deadline day.
The margins are incredibly fine, with the belief that a high-calibre goalscorer is the difference between Arsenal winning the title and missing out for a third consecutive year.
Edu and Mikel Arteta must prioritise a striker
On paper, Shearer’s prediction rings true as Arsenal have been without a reliable goalscorer since Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s Golden Boot winning 22-goal campaign in 2018/19.
Since then, Arsenal have grown significantly in areas around the spearhead of attack, seeing goals come from a variety of positions, taking attention away from the number nine vacancy.
That being said, many fans would agree that a striker capable of scoring 20+ goals could be the driving force that leads Arteta to the path of Arsenal being crowned Premier League champions.
As far as this window goes, it looks incredibly unlikely that the Gunners will pounce on a top quality striker before deadline day, with Edu’s eyes fixed firmly on Mikel Merino.
Still, years ago no one would have expected both Shearer and Richards to back Arsenal to win the title, telling of the squad’s progression under Arteta’s guidance.
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