Arsenal star makes claim about Virgil van Dijk that will create Premier League title race concern

Add as preferred source on Google

If Arsenal are to stand any chance of being crowned Premier League champions this season, they will have to surpass Liverpool.

Arsenal were tipped to win the title this season, and had good reason to go into the campaign full of confidence. 

Mikel Arteta’s side finished as runners up in each of the last two seasons, and looked well set up to go one step further this time around. However, inconsistent recent form has left the North London club with almost no margin for error left as far as the title race is concerned.

Arsenal have been told they’ll need to win seven games on the spin just to get back into contention. The Gunners made a good start in that regard, as they cruised to a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard from girlfriend to £65k car

Martin Odegaard hails Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk

Whilst Arsenal’s dreams are hanging by a thread, Liverpool have stormed into a commanding position.

This likely won’t come as a surprise to Martin Odegaard, who knows all about the quality in the Reds’ squad. 

In fact, the toughest opponent that the Arsenal captain has ever faced represents the Anfield outfit.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Odegaard said: “I think Virgil [van Dijk] is a really tough one,” when asked to name the most challenging individual opponent that he has encountered. 

Of course, Virgil van Dijk is widely considered to be one of, if not the, best defenders in the Premier League, and is the lynchpin of the Liverpool defence.

Arsenal must take Liverpool seriously in the Premier League title race

Liverpool currently hold a nine point lead ahead of Arsenal, at the top of the Premier League table. 

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	12	10	1	1	24	8	16	31
2	Man CityManchester City	12	7	2	3	22	17	5	23
3	ChelseaChelsea	12	6	4	2	23	14	9	22
4	ArsenalArsenal	12	6	4	2	21	12	9	22

However, there is a long way to go in the campaign, and Arteta will be convinced that his side have the quality to reel the Merseysiders in.

Liverpool were not necessarily expected to compete for the title this season, having failed to mount a sustained challenge last time around, and with a new manager at the helm in Arne Slot, who replaced the iconic Jurgen Klopp.

However, as indicated by Odegaard, there is so much quality in Slot’s side that the Gunners cannot afford to view the Reds’ impressive early season form as a flash in the pan. Beyond van Dijk, the likes of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, amongst others, make Liverpool a serious threat to Arsenal’s ambitions. 

The aforementioned trio have all claimed a Premier League crown with Liverpool in the past themselves, and know what it takes to go all the way.