Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has tipped Arsenal to finally bring an end to their long Premier League title drought this season. The Frenchman believes the Gunners have built the quality and resilience needed to go all the way.
Arsenal have come agonisingly close in recent years, finishing runners-up three times in succession, twice behind Manchester City and once to Liverpool. Mbappé feels that painful experience could be the catalyst to fuel their title charge.
Softfootball understands that Gunners boss, Mikel Arteta is determined to end his side’s reputation as serial runners-up and has spent heavily to add the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martín Zubimendi and Piero Hincapié to his squad.
While those new signings are impressive, Mbappé believes the strength of Arsenal’s core of players like William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, among others is what could carry them over the line.
When asked for his title predictions by BILD as posted by Fabrizio Romano on his verified Facebook page, Mbappé acknowledged Liverpool and Manchester City as two other teams capable of lifting the trophy, but picked Arsenal as favorites to win the title this season. The post reads:
Kylian Mbappé: My Premier League title prediction? That’s tough. Maybe Arsenal, maybe it will be their year, said at BILD.
Mbappe witnessed the danger of the Gunners firsthand when he lost both legs of the quarterfinal Champions League match against them in April. Over the course of the 180 minutes, Jakub Kiwior and William Saliba minimised the Frenchman’s threat, preventing him from scoring any goals.
After thrashing Los Blancos 3-0 at the Emirates, Arteta’s team left the Santiago Bernabeu with a comparatively easy 2-1 victory, winning 5-1 overall. In the semi-final, the Gunners lost to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Next weekend marks the Gunners’ return to Premier League play after the September international break. They will be eager to defeat Nottingham Forest decisively to make up for their loss at Anfield.
Liverpool are the early leaders in the Premier League title race, opening up a two-point lead after the first three games of the season, thanks in part to a 1–0 victory over Arteta’s Arsenal before the international break.
The Gunners sit third, with two wins from three games, while City find themselves 13th after two straight defeats piled the pressure right back on Guardiola.
