Arsenal’s journey in the Premier League this season, under Mikel Arteta, showcases their potential as a top title contender, yet opinions vary on their ability to maintain this momentum.

This article delves into the perspectives of Richard Dunne and Rio Ferdinand on Arsenal’s title race prospects and the challenges they may face.

Arsenal, currently leading the Premier League under Mikel Arteta, are seen as a strong contender in this year’s title race, yet opinions vary on their ability to maintain this form across various competitions.

Richard Dunne expressed scepticism about Arsenal’s squad depth and readiness for a sustained challenge.

“City and Liverpool will be up there,” Dunne said. “I’m still not sure about Arsenal and if they can compete in all the different competitions. Is their squad big enough? People have already spoken about their lack of a centre forward. They’ve created their own problems in the goalkeeping department, which now seems to be a big issue. Tottenham have shown they’re just not strong enough with a few injuries. I’m more inclined to go with Liverpool.”

Contrastingly, Rio Ferdinand has highlighted Arsenal as Manchester City’s biggest title rival, attributing this to the form of their centre-backs, Gabriel and William Saliba.

He explained, “The two centre-backs (Gabriel and William Saliba) are the reason why I would put Arsenal ahead of Liverpool in the title race to challenge Man City,” citing their reliability and the growth of their partnership as key factors.

“I think those two, they’re bang in form. You can trust them implicitly, and they look like that partnership is going to grow with the way they’re playing at the moment.”

Arsenal’s current standing at the top of the league, following their victory over Brentford, is noteworthy, especially amid reports of limited available funds in the upcoming transfer market.

This approach would no doubt have implications for any title challenge, with Liverpool, despite drawing with City, still seen as a formidable force. For more on how this could affect Premier League outcomes and betting strategies, get the latest football betting odds here.

The January transfer window will be pivotal for Arsenal. The decision whether to bolster their squad or rely on their current roster could define their season.

As the competition intensifies, Arsenal’s ability to keep up with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool will be closely watched by football enthusiasts and analysts alike.