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Liverpool have assembled the finest squad in the Premier League following expenditure exceeding $540 million (£400 million) during the summer transfer window. That is according to Mikel Arteta, who believes Arsenal's title challengers are now 'the strongest' side in England.
The Reds shattered the British transfer record on two occasions this summer, initially securing Florian Wirtz before approving a move for Alexander Isak on deadline day.
The champions also acquired Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike for substantial fees to strengthen the squad that Arne Slot steered to domestic triumph last season. Arsenal likewise invested heavily during the window, splashing out over $330 million to secure eight new signings
The Gunners aim to snatch the domestic title from Liverpool having finished runners-up for three consecutive campaigns.
But Arteta harbors no doubts about who the title favourites are following Liverpool's unprecedented summer spending spree.
"They are the strongest for sure," Arteta declared during his press conference ahead of Saturday's clash against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates.
"They have recruited the two most decisive players that were in Europe in the market [Isak and Wirtz], and they did really well to do that. They were very, very strong, and we need to look at ourselves and what we have to do in terms of our abilities to be better than them."
Arsenal concluded the 2024-25 season a significant 10 points adrift of Liverpool, who unexpectedly clinched the title and made Slot's inaugural season unforgettable by usurping Manchester City.
With Isak, they've secured last season's second-highest scorer in the Premier League, trailing only their own Mohamed Salah, while Wirtz notched up an impressive 23 goal contributions in 31 Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich.
The Reds kicked off the new campaign as firm favourites to hold onto their newly won title, but Arteta's Arsenal are tipped to be hot on their heels.
Arteta, having strengthened his attack with the acquisitions of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze, is acutely aware of the monumental task facing Arsenal if they are to break their two-decade-long league title drought.
When quizzed about the difficulty of outperforming Liverpool in the upcoming season, Arteta remarked: "It is not about Liverpool but the league in general and how difficult it will be with the level that it is to be so consistent and win the amount of matches you need to earn the right to win the title.
"That is going to be a really long run for all of us."
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