in the Premier League
Former Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi believes that the Gunners have ‘already won a title’ this season, despite looking destined to finish second in the Premier League. The Gunners were eight points clear at the top of the table earlier in the campaign, but a late capitulation has put Manchester City back in control. Arsenal have failed to record a victory in their last four top-flight matches and lost 4-1 at City last time out, who are now two points behind with two games in hand.
Mustafi believes that the progress Arsenal have made this season even tops Leicester City winning the Premier League at odds of 5000-1 in 2016. He said: ‘Arsenal haven’t played in the Champions League since Arsene Wenger left the club. In my view, the positive development that the club have gone through under Arteta is almost more important than winning the league just once and then not being able to build on it, like Leicester City did after winning the title in 2016. I think Arsenal have already won a title in which they play in the Champions League again next year because that’s where the club belongs. Of course, Arsenal want to win the league after a season like the current one. But the goal will be to play at the top for the next few years and not just win the Premier League once.’
Arsenal return to action on Tuesday when they face Chelsea at the Emirates.