Patrick Vieira gives verdict on Arsenal title chances under manager Mikel Arteta

Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League at this early stage and former captain Patrick Vieira believes their summer recruitment can help them end their wait for league success

Patrick Vieira believes Arsenal’s summer business has “put the quality of the team on a different level” and insists they are one of only a few teams who can land the Premier League title.

Mikel Arteta’s side took over at the summit before the international break, owing to successive defeats for Liverpool. The Gunners have finished second in each of the past three seasons, missing out on the title to Manchester City twice and then the Reds.

Each summer they have invested to improve the team, but this summer Arteta particularly attacked the market, making some statement signings. Viktor Gyokeres was bought in to lead the attack whilst Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze arrived to compliment the frontline.

Martin Zubimendi bolstered the midfield and their backline was already regarded among the best in Europe. Vieira admits the Premier League remains immensely competitive, but the Gunners’ recruitment have given them the best opportunity to end their league drought.

The former Arsenal skipper told Sky Sports: “I don’t know if it’s a good year or not because the Premier League is really competitive. I think Arteta made a really strong statement by bringing those players in the summer. On the field, so far, they’re doing really good games.

READ MORE: Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres’ embarrassment as nightmare World Cup scenario clearREAD MORE: Arsenal injury latest and return dates after fresh setback – Odegaard, Hincapie, Jesus

“I believe that Arsenal is a part of those few teams that can win the Premier League. I think you will have to count on Arsenal to be competitive and to be there to fight until the end because the players they managed to bring in will put the quality of the team on a different level.”

Vieira was the last man to lift the Premier League trophy for Arsenal, doing so in 2004 after their Invincible season. Now there is added pressure on Arteta to finally deliver with the Spaniard enjoying huge progress at the Emirates, but without having the trophies to show for it.

The FA Cup in 2020 was the last major honour he captured at Arsenal but Thierry Henry believes their depth is a game changer and recently claimed they “have big chances to win stuff because the bench will change the game for you.”

That has already been shown with several of Arteta’s substitutions changing the course of games and turning draws into wins or snatching late points, as they did against Manchester City.

Henry said: “Every single time someone comes off the bench and scores… if you you want to win, go far and deep in competitions, you need to have depth in your squad and guys that can do it when they come on. Don’t see it as, ‘I’m on the bench, I’m not starting’, and start to cry about it. The group has to win, that’s the most important thing.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.