Simon Jordan issues Arsenal title claim in row with Martin Keown as stark Chelsea comparison made

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Arsenal were a topic of debate on talkSPORT as Martin Keown joined Jim White and Simon Jordan.

The trio dissected week 11’s action, talking all things Arsenal and Chelsea following the 1-1 draw in the London derby. 

Stamford Bridge played host to the high-fuelled meeting in West London, with Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca’s sides unable to be separated.

The result sees both the Gunners and their rivals sit nine points below Premier League leaders Liverpool, spelling bad news for Arsenal’s title hopes ahead of the November international break. 

• READ MORE: Paul Merson tells Arsenal stars to ‘kick on’ with extraordinary demand after Chelsea draw

Simon Jordan blasts Arsenal’s title hopes

As expected, Jordan and Keown disagreed on some topics covered with regard to Arsenal.

While the former Gunner believes the title race is not over yet, Jordan was less optimistic about Arsenal’s chances, accusing Arteta’s project of growing stale to some degree. 

“I think they’re getting found out a little bit. Without Odegaard, it’s made a big difference but that shouldn’t be the only defining part.

“This side the way they’re playing at this moment in time, they won’t win the Premier League. They’re not good enough to win it. 

“They don’t seem to have the same expansive, ambitious play they had last year. They seem to have changed and pivoted off it, and some of it will be Odegaard.”

The talkSPORT pundit had no interest in calling Arsenal title candidates after what he saw at Stamford Bridge, raising a point about the ‘margins’ between the two clubs.

“You look at the two teams from yesterday, Arsenal are five years into a project and the margins between the two sides were not significant.

“This is a Chelsea side that six months ago, were considered to be a car crash, a disaster. You look at the two sides and there wasn’t much difference. 

“I think Arsenal have flatlined, I don’t think they’re going forward, I don’t think they’re regressing hugely, there’s been a slight change in the tactics.”

Mikel Arteta has to prove doubters wrong

Jordan’s analysis was brutally harsh but, the businessman made some very valid points.

Arsenal’s title hopes aren’t over after 11 games played however, they are certainly dented, with the start to the season far from what Arteta would have wanted. 

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	11	9	1	1	21	6	15	28
2	Man CityManchester City	11	7	2	2	22	13	9	23
3	ChelseaChelsea	11	5	4	2	21	13	8	19
4	ArsenalArsenal	11	5	4	2	18	12	6	19
5	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	11	5	4	2	15	10	5	19
6	BrightonBrighton	11	5	4	2	19	15	4	19

The only response that the Spaniard can provide is wins, putting emphasis on the need to perform when domestic action returns after the international break.

Full focus will be on redemption in the Premier League and Champions League, as well as putting together a comprehensive cup run.

It’s not over until it’s over and for the 2024/25 campaign, it’s only just begun, but change has to be seen immediately if the Gunners are to write themselves into the title race.