MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Sergio Aguero names Arsenal among title contenders

Aug 5, 2022

Sergio Aguero believes it’s Arsenal’s time to give people something to talk about, naming the Gunners among contenders for the Premier League title.

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during a club-friendly football match between Arsenal and Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 30, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) — Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during a club-friendly football match between Arsenal and Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 30, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Premier League returns on Friday night, with Arsenal travelling to Selhurst Park to play against Crystal Palace and football today available to stream globally.

The early signs from the Community Shield suggest Manchester City and Liverpool are ready to do battle for another Premier League title this year, but former City striker Sergio Aguero believes they’re not the only ones.

Though Aguero does name City and Liverpool among his contenders for the league’s top spot, he also mentions Chelsea and Arsenal as possible title candidates.

“My candidates are Manchester City, which I think can repeat (their title success of last year), Liverpool, Chelsea, and I add Arsenal, which has strengthened very well and has had great games in the pre-season,” Aguero said (via Daily Mail).

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“Everything will be very even, as it has been happening, but we will have to be attentive to Arsenal’s performance, which has put together a great project with the help of Arteta.

“I think that this year they will give people something to talk about.”

Arsenal fans are obviously excited moving into the new season, following a run of impressive pre-season results including comfortable wins over Premier League rivals Chelsea and Everton, as well as a 6-0 thrashing of Champions League club Sevilla.

But it’s always good to hear from the neutrals on their assessment, and Aguero is clearly taking notice of Arsenal’s summer progress.

Arsenal's Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus (C) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during a club-friendly football match between Arsenal and Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 30, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) — Arsenal’s Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus (C) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during a club-friendly football match between Arsenal and Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 30, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

That won’t mean much if Arsenal fail to capitalise on their momentum in the early fixtures of the Premier League season.

An away trip to Crystal Palace isn’t an easy game by any means, but the fact Arsenal don’t have a big-six game until September gives the Gunners a chance to build up a head of steam.

If Mikel Arteta’s side could put together a run of wins, then heading up to Old Trafford that Sunday in September won’t seem like such a daunting prospect.

You don’t want to travel away to your big-six rivals desperate to get a result, if you can avoid it. You want to be comfortable that you’re in a strong position whatever happens.

That all starts with Friday’s fixture, so it’s up to Arsenal to ensure they get off on the right foot.

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