Patrick Vieira believes this Arsenal team will win the Premier League eventually, as long as they stick together.

NORWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Patrick Vieira, Manager of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Norwich City and Crystal Palace at Carrow Road on February 09, 2022 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
NORWICH, ENGLAND: Patrick Vieira, Manager of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Norwich City and Crystal Palace at Carrow Road on February 09, 2022. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Arsenal lost to Manchester City on Wednesday to put a major dent in their title ambitions. Though the Gunners remain two points clear at the top, City have two games in hand, and arguably the easier schedule.

Mikel Arteta’s side still have to host Chelsea and Brighton and travel away to Newcastle United, and to even have a chance they’ll need to win all three games.

But whilst this season’s title challenge is fading away, Patrick Vieira believes the team will eventually win the competition, and they’re not so far away now.

“When you’re looking at the problems from last year, it’s really positive for the future,” Vieira said. “I believe this team, if they manage to stick together, they will grow and the future is ahead of them and they will win the title.

“They are progressing, they are getting better on the field, they are understanding the game, and I believe that they are really close.”

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Patrick Vieira the manager of Crystal Palace during the Carabao Cup second round match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road Stadium on August 24, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND: Patrick Vieira the manager of Crystal Palace during the Carabao Cup second-round match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road Stadium on August 24, 2021d. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

You’d hope that the current Arsenal side are only set to get better, with so many of the players yet to hit their prime.

From Arsenal’s first-choice lineup, the likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Gabriel Martinelli are quite a way off their peak years.

Then there are plenty of players in their mid-twenties, like Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Odegaard, and Aaron Ramsdale, all of whom should be able to develop and stay at this level for years to come.

It’s only in midfield where Arsenal might start needing to look elsewhere for long-term options, hence the drive to sign a couple of midfielders this summer.

There are no guarantees, but Arsenal are certainly in a good position to push on over the next few years.