‘Surprising’ Arsenal have gone from bottlers to ‘impressive’ Premier League title contenders

Arsenal have improved since last season’s failed Premier League title race and are worthy contenders for this year’s crown.

That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan, while Graeme Souness admitted he was surprised by the Gunners’ efforts.

Mikel Arteta’s side led much of the previous campaign but faltered in recent weeks and Manchester City won the championship.

Arsenal now find themselves top of the table, as they are level on points with Liverpool but ahead on goal difference and one point ahead of City.

Jordan branded the Gunners “bottlers” for last season’s collapse, but has since changed his mind during this season, with the north London side controlling the title race.

And speaking of White and Jordan, he thinks their failure to win in 2023 has made them better, saying: “You’d like to think that if you spend £200/250m in the transfer window you’re going to give yourself an opportunity “. to improve on last year’s rate.

“I think it’s undeniable that they choked last season, whether you want to use choked or bottled up, or they fell at the last hurdle, abandoned at the final stage. Whatever terminology we want to use , I think Arsenal are a better team as a result of that.”

He added: “I said they would spend £250m to stay where they are and they would do well to stay where they are. They spent £250m and they have improved .

“Now I don’t know if it’s because Man City aren’t quite the dominant force they were a year ago or if it’s really because Arsenal have been so impressive. think it’s probably a combination of both but they can win this league.”

Souness was also impressed with Arsenal’s improvement from last season, although it’s fair to say he hadn’t considered they would do this well before the run-in.

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The five-time English Premier League champion with Liverpool knows what it takes to play at the highest level and waxed lyrical about the Gunners, saying: “For me they were fabulous, they really did.

“They surprised me, I thought they would have a few hiccups along the way, but the consistency has been fabulous and that’s why they are top of the league.”

Although Arsenal are top and know winning their remaining seven games will seal the title for them, Souness has warned the title race is far from over.

He added: “There is no doubt about it, Arsenal will be richer and better for the experience of last year, as difficult as it was to live through then. Arsenal have the Momentum with them, they have great confidence, as do City and Liverpool need to get back into the game immediately.

“It’s impossible to look at what matches are left and say, ‘Well, it’s going to be easier than this one.’

“Someone could be sent off, a referee makes a bad decision, anything can happen in football, so you would be brave to say with seven games to go who is going to win the championship.

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“They all believe, it’s a normal reaction for Liverpool fans to say: ‘Oh, we’ve ruined everything’, I don’t see it like that, it’s still a game in progress.

“For City, they have this inner belief because they are the current champions and they have won it in the last three years, so they have huge belief in themselves. And right now Arsenal have that belief and you can hear it from the supporters.”

Arsenal still face tests against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United before the end of the season, as well as a Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, live on talkSPORT.

However, among Gunners fans there is a strong belief that this really could be their year where they are in control of the title.