Patrick Vieira thinks Arsenal will be “really close” to winning the Premier League title this season, after their start to the campaign.
Former Gunner and Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has been keeping an eye on Arsenal this season, and he evidently likes what he’s seen from his old club.
“When you look at the way they have been playing I think they will be really close to winning the title,” Vieira said on Sunday.
“I think Mikel has made some changes and has brought in some really good players and they play at the moment with a lot of confidence and belief.
“What I will say is that they look like this can be the year for them.”
Vieira experienced Arsenal’s recent progress first-hand at the start of the campaign, as Mikel Arteta’s side managed to grind out a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park.
Despite results leaving them in 15th, Palace are proving a tough opponent for anybody at the moment.
They pulled off a draw at Anfield, they went 2-0 up against Manchester City before the hosts made a comeback, and it took a 90th-minute winner for Chelsea to beat them.
So Arsenal’s 2-0 victory was arguably this season’s most convincing result against Vieira’s side, and it makes sense he would have a high opinion of them. He already claimed they were a title contender once back in August.
Following the win against Liverpool on Sunday, Arsenal are top of the table, a point ahead of Manchester City and nine points clear of fifth place – though both Chelsea (4th) and Manchester United (5th) have a game in hand to play.
It certainly seems like Arsenal will be strong contenders for a top-four finish, but the longer their run at the top goes on, the more they might start to believe they can challenge for the title as well.
For now, despite being in second place, Manchester City have to be the favourites. They’ve done it before, they have the league’s deadliest striker, and they’re yet to lose a game to anybody. Arsenal still have more to prove.