Campbell rates Arsenal title chances, claims Slot is lucky

In December, it will be exactly half a decade since Mikel Arteta arrived at Arsenal, yet during that time he hasn’t significantly enriched the club’s trophy cabinet. He has won just one FA Cup and two Community Shields, but the Premier League title has continued to elude him for years. Until now, that’s been tolerated at the Emirates — but for how much longer remains to be seen.

Because in English football circles, the prevailing opinion is that this season Arteta finally has everything he needs to bring the title back to North London for the first time in over two decades. He’s gotten the striker he had been searching for, plus several additional options in other positions to deepen the bench and compete on multiple fronts. On top of that, even his biggest rivals don’t look at their best. It seems the Spaniard has no more excuses — and that’s exactly what former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell believes as well.

“Arteta had to get rid of some players and deadwood but the last couple of years, he's had pretty much the team. I think the centrepiece is a centre-forward, they've finally got someone Viktor Gyokeres... But they've got to find out how to play him. But you build it, you have to build it somehow. I went to Arsenal in 2001, I've not won anything. Yeah they won before, but every year is different, you've got to believe that you can do it, and you've gotto have the players around with the quality that can do it“ said former Gunner.

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Campbell claims that Arne Slot was lucky to inherit a quality team from Jurgen Klopp and simply stroll to the title — something that, he adds, was not the case for Arteta, who had to spend years cleaning up the chaos he found upon arriving at Arsenal. That’s why it took him so long to bring the team back to the top.

"Some people are lucky, they inherit a really good side, Arne Slot inherited a fantastic side at Liverpool and then won the league. He didn't have to change much, he was lucky. A new manager, good bounce, players responded and yeah, he was lucky“ he said.

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As the biggest strength of the London side, the former England international highlights the defense — and he singles out one particular member of the back line for special praise.

“It all comes down to the defense. They know what they’re doing. They’re young, but they play with maturity. There’s belief — they know they can do it. Jurrien Timber is probably one of the best right-backs in Europe right now. He’s incredible; he can score goals, he’s strong in one-on-one situations. He definitely lost some time due to injury, but he’s a top-class player” concluded Campbell.