Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton believes that plenty of clubs in England and on the continent should be afraid of Arsenal this season.
Arsenal laid down a marker in this season’s Champions League competition with their 6-0 demolition of Lens on Wednesday evening.
The French outfit could not cope with the Gunners’ attacking verve at the Emirates Stadium, and were pulled apart in the first half. Goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Odegaard sent the hosts in 5-0 up at the break.
Mikel Arteta’s side have now qualified for the knockout stage of the competition as group winners with a game to spare.
As well as impressing in European competition, the north London club are also setting the pace at home. Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League with thirteen matches played. Having come close to securing a surprise Premier League title triumph last season, full focus at Arsenal will be on going one step better and actually getting their hands on the trophy this time around.
Mikel Arteta has found a way to grind out wins
Arsenal certainly look like they mean business, and is there is still more to come from them. Prior to their thrashing of Lens, the Gunners had developed a habit of grinding out tight wins whilst their attacking play failed to truly click into gear.
Given these apparent struggles in the final third, club legend David Seaman admitted his surprise over how many points Arsenal have still been able to pick up.
However, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville saw this trend as a positive. The pundit believes that Arteta’s team will gain fluency and momentum as the campaign progresses and will hit peak form at the perfect moment.
The best is yet to come from Arsenal
Chris Sutton is now convinced that Arsenal are serious contenders for all the major honours in the game. Taking to X after seeing them rip Lens apart, he said, “Arsenal outstanding tonight. Top of two leagues and in his programme notes Martin Odegaard said “still feeling like we haven’t been at our best”… worrying for the rest in the Premier League and Champions League?”
Of course, Liverpool and reigning champions Manchester City will still be backing themselves to come out on top in what looks likely to be a tight title race. Arteta and his squad will have gained a great deal of experience from being involved in a similar battle last season, though, which should stand them in good stead when it comes to crunch time.
One thing that is beyond doubt is that nobody is underestimating Arsenal this time around. They are back at the top table and worthy of their place. If they can kick on further, as club captain Odegaard clearly believes they can, then there is no telling what this group might achieve.
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