Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has thrown his weight behind Arsenal’s title charge, boldly claiming that this is the season Mikel Arteta finally gets his hands on the Premier League trophy.
After back-to-back campaigns of narrow misses, Allardyce believes the Gunners have matured, evolved, and now stand as the strongest contenders to break Manchester City’s dominance.
Reflecting on Arteta’s journey, Allardyce praised the manager’s long-term project and resilience through early setbacks.
“Mikel is experienced enough now. The club and team have gone forward and the board has backed him all along. It shows you how long it can take. It has been five or six years. But I think this is Arsenal’s and Mikel’s year. Manchester City are still going through a transition and Liverpool have run into massive problems with integration.”
Allardyce’s assessment highlights what many Arsenal fans have felt this season: the team finally looks complete. From smart recruitment to improved squad harmony, the Gunners appear to have the depth and tactical clarity they lacked in previous campaigns.
The former England boss also pointed to the squad’s improvement, particularly in depth, an area that cost them during past title pushes.
“The strength in depth of Arteta’s squad is better than ever now. They and he are now experienced enough. It is a big year for Arsenal. They should have won it three years ago. I’m not being disrespectful to Mikel but they blew it. If they can handle the pressure, it would be great for the Premier League if someone else wins it.”
It’s a candid reminder of Arsenal’s past stumbles, but also a challenge to finally prove they can manage the pressure at the business end of the season.
Allardyce doubled down on his belief, grounding his prediction in the team’s balance across the pitch, something Arteta has worked tirelessly to build.
“And, again, I do think it is Arsenal’s year – and that is based on two simple elements. They have a lot of options for attacking and scoring goals and they have always had one of the best defences in the league.”
With Arsenal boasting one of the league’s best defensive records and a growing list of attacking threats, Allardyce’s verdict reflects a growing sentiment across English football: if the Gunners can stay composed, this could be the season the Premier League finally returns to North London.
