Arsenal legend Martin Keown has revealed why he thinks his former side will come up short in the title race.
It is looking to be a two-horse race in the fight to win the Premier League, with Chelsea dropping away in recent weeks and Liverpool now eight points clear ahead of Nottingham Forest in second.
Forest could compete, but are expected to drop off, with Arsenal looking to go second when they take on Brentford on Wednesday night.
A win would put them six points behind Liverpool having played a game more, and they are expected to be the main challengers for Arne Slot’s men, who have so far been rampant in the top flight.
Winning the league would mark a first Premier League title win since 2004 for Mikel Arteta’s side, a team which contained Mail Sport’s Keown and would win the league as the only unbeaten side ever to do so.
But the man himself, however, is of the opinion that his ex-side will come up short. And speaking on TNT Sports before Arsenal’s clash with Brentford, he explained why.
‘Liverpool are looking magnificent right now but it’s a big opportunity for Arsenal to close the gap once more,’ he said.’ Lots of big games, Arsenal, Manchester United, FA Cup. Brentford’s home record is quite remarkable, it’s a fortress.
‘He wants more runners in midfield. The two runners up top are probably the two most underrated forwards in the Premier League. Mbeumo, when he comes off the left side, hits lots of goals.
‘We want Arsenal to finally win the league but it looks like Liverpool are going to do that.
‘I was disappointed Chelsea fell away in the last two games. A three-horse race makes it better. But the quality of [Luis] Diaz, [Cody] Gakpo up top, Arsenal need to find a little bit more up top. If Arsenal’s front three can score more goals… they really need to turn up and the pressure is on them tonight.’
Arsenal have had a mixed season so far, losing to the likes of Bournemouth and Newcastle but enjoying an unbeaten run of eight games prior to the game with Brentford.
It remains to be seen how they will fully cope without talisman Bukayo Saka, who will be out for a number of months after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury.
Keown was pulling no punches in his analysis of his former side, who have also suffered other absentees and various red cards.
‘It has been a tricky start to this season with ill-discipline, injuries, Odegaard was a big one and now Saka,’ Keown added. ‘It has been a nightmare behind the scenes.
‘Arteta is trying to make the best of it and there is still time to recover. It has been a difficult journey for Arsenal this season. They haven’t had that consistency. They need to be more creative.
‘Their stats from last season are almost the same as this season, just four points fewer, same goals conceded, a goal less scored. They’re on course but they’ve got to be better than they are to be champions. That’s the task ahead.’
