Former Arsenal superstar Robin Van Persie has revealed that he believes the Gunners can challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for the League title next season.
It’s been 15 years since Arsenal last won the Premier League title and that was a phenomenal achievement when former Gunners manager Arsene Wenger led the club to an ‘Invincible’ title run without suffering defeat during the entire campaign.
Arsenal did finish as runner ups in 2005 and 2016 but was well off the pace set by the front runners Chelsea and Leicester City in those respective seasons.
Manchester City broke plenty of records over the past two seasons as they won back to back League titles and Liverpool were the closest to rival them with an astonishing 97 points, just one behind Pep Guardiola’s side.
The closest to the two were Chelsea who finishing in third place with a staggering 25 points behind City. Arsenal finished fifth, 28 points behind Manchester City who pipped the title on the final day with 98 points.
However, ex-Arsenal forward Robin Van Persie has stated that Unai Emery’s side can definitely mount a title challenge next season. While speaking to BBC, the 35-year-old former Dutch international said, “Of course they can, yes, because they’re close already, they’ve been close for so many years, It goes in periods. Now you have Manchester City, who are doing unbelievable.
“To win back-to-back titles is very special – that shows, really, that you’re a proper team. But it goes in phases. Maybe [City manager] Pep Guardiola will leave next year and that does something to a club. Maybe Liverpool will take over and they will dominate for the next few years. But I hope and wish Arsenal all the best to win the title. I know how difficult it is.”
Van Persie spent eight years at Arsenal and believes that the North London side have the advantage over Chelsea in the final of the Europa League on May 29th in Baku, he added, “Personally, I think Arsenal have the edge, They’re a little bit better. But Chelsea have Eden Hazard and he is a very special player – at any time he can come up with something.”
