Arsenal boast the deepest and most well-rounded squad in the Premier League, yet he expects the title race to be decided between two other contenders.
After finishing runners-up in each of the last three seasons, Mikel Arteta’s team is determined to shed their reputation as perennial second-best.
To strengthen their chances, the Gunners embarked on another high-spending transfer window, investing over £250 million to bolster their ranks with eight new additions.
Leading the charge was Viktor Gyökeres, signed from Sporting Lisbon to address Arsenal’s need for a consistent goal threat up front.
The club also reinforced other key areas—bringing in Martin Zubimendi to take over midfield duties from Thomas Partey, and adding wide attackers Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze to enhance their offensive versatility.
Mikel is convinced that Arsenal’s aggressive recruitment strategy has left them with a squad that rivals across the league would envy.
‘The club again, the owners, the hierarchies have gone out again and massively backed Mikel Arteta,’ he said on The Obi One Podcast.
‘They have the strongest squad in the Premier League them and Liverpool. In terms of depth, Arsenal has the strongest, two players in every position.
‘Arteta knows there is no excuse and I’m happy he’s come out and said it. He has to win the Premier League or Champions League, and winning the League Cup or FA Cup is not going to do it.
‘I’m sure right now they also believe that this is the time, this is the season.’
Despite that strength, Mikel believes Chelsea, as well as the defending champions Liverpool, who are best positioned to win the league this campaign.
Liverpool have a perfect record after three matches, and have still to add Alexander Isak to their team after he completed a deadline-day transfer move from Newcastle United.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are still unbeaten and sit in second, with Enzo Maresca’s side full of confidence after a summer which saw them win the Club World Cup.
‘I think it’s between Liverpool and Chelsea, and we have a good chance of winning it,’ Mikel said when asked about his former side’s title chances.
‘Right now if you look at what team you think can beat Liverpool, I say Chelsea the way we play. We are the best team in terms of playing out from the back.
‘The way Enzo Maresca has got this team playing out from the back, it doesn’t matter how much you press our players, we have the belief, we have the braveness to play it out from the back.
‘We are the team that can be able to hurt this Liverpool side. We can be there come the end of the season so it’s between us and Liverpool.’
