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Arsenal icon Thierry Henry believes Mikel Arteta's players have the essential ingredients for success, as the Premier League title race heats up.
The London club currently enjoys a three-point cushion over early rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, while Bournemouth has surprisingly positioned itself as the dark horse after an outstanding start to the season. Liverpool has struggled in recent weeks, losing three consecutive Premier League games to let a five-point advantage slip from its grasp.
Arsenal has endured a series of near-misses in recent years, finishing as championship runner-up on multiple occasions. Over the past three campaigns, Manchester City and Liverpool have claimed the coveted prize come May.
Yet this season, Arsenal has thrown down the challenge and established itself as the early pacesetter. Despite their reverse against Liverpool, the Gunners have bounced back to lead the charge following the Merseyside outfit's alarming dip in form.
Arsenal has been touted as the favorite before, but the team's exile from the summit of English soccer has now extended beyond two decades.
Henry has long maintained Arsenal could reclaim its place at the top, admittedly through rose-tinted spectacles as a supporter, but the French icon now argues two pivotal changes have turned the team's dreams into genuine prospects.
"The squad is bigger, and we must respect whatever the rotation is going to be from Mikel Arteta," he said, speaking to Betway.
"Having the choice is what he wanted. They analysed what they were missing in the past three years when players like Odegaard, Saliba and Saka got injured, and the club felt they were short.
"Are the youngsters going to come in more often? You need to ask Mikel. But as an Arsenal fan, you love to see Nwaneri, Dowman and Lewis-Skelly, and Saka is from the academy as well.
"I always say that to win the league, you need a squad. Having some guys who can jump in when the No. 9 is not scoring is what will make the difference.
"I used to feel that Arsenal could win the league as a fan, because you dream and you hope. For the first time in a long time, I can see this team winning the league – not just as an Arsenal fan, but as a football fan and an analyst. I see it, because they are united."
Speaking in the summer, Henry also backed Arsenal to lift the title. He said: "Do I think that Mikel Arteta is doing a great job? Tremendous job.
"Do I think he should get the sack? Hell no.
"Am I going to think we’re going to win the league this year? Yes."
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