Former Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel says Arsenal have the strongest squad in the Premier League singling them out ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea He praises their summer signings squad depth and challenges for the title .
Former Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has shared his honest thoughts on the current English Premier League season While many observers tip Liverpool or Chelsea to have the edge Mikel believes Arsenal have now built a squad that places them ahead of their rivals His remarks follow a busy transfer window that saw the Gunners strengthen their ranks with a number of key additions .
Arsenal’s Summer Spending and Reinforcements
Arsenal invested heavily in the summer spending more than 250 million pounds to bring in eight new players aimed at improving different areas of the team The headline signing was Viktor Gyokeres whose arrival gives Arsenal the natural striker they have been missing for several seasons Other recruits include Eberechi Eze Martin Zubimendi Noni Madueke Christian Norgaard Kepa Arrizabalaga Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie Together these signings provide quality options across the pitch and reflect the club’s commitment to backing manager Mikel Arteta with the tools needed to compete on all fronts The reinforcements mean Arsenal now have depth in almost every position something they have lacked in previous campaigns .
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What Mikel Obi Said
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast Mikel explained why he rates Arsenal so highly this season He said the Gunners now have the strongest squad in the Premier League particularly in terms of depth when compared with Liverpool According to him Arsenal now have nearly two players available for every position which gives them an advantage when injuries or fixture congestion occur Despite this strong praise he did not rule out Liverpool or Chelsea He pointed out that both clubs remain serious contenders for the Premier League title because of their quality and history of competing at the highest level .
Why Arsenal Get the Edge
Mikel’s decision to single out Arsenal ahead of his former club Chelsea and rivals Liverpool is rooted in the scale of Arsenal’s summer rebuild The North London side focused on filling gaps across the pitch something that allows them to rotate players without a major drop in quality The squad now has more versatility and the ownership has shown a clear commitment to ensuring that Arteta has the support to mount a title challenge This investment in depth gives Arsenal a unique strength that their closest challengers are still working to match .
Title Race Outlook
While Mikel sees Arsenal as having the most complete squad he frames the title race as one that may still be decided by Liverpool or Chelsea He believes Liverpool remain dangerous and capable of competing for the league given their strong start to the campaign He also highlighted Chelsea under new manager Enzo Maresca praising their resilience tactical approach and the energy that could turn them into serious challengers As such Mikel expects the season to be tightly contested with Arsenal possibly pushing ahead but Liverpool and Chelsea staying firmly in the mix .
Implications for the Season
If Mikel’s view proves right Arsenal will have the opportunity to test their depth across several competitions from the Premier League to domestic cups and Europe Squad management will be critical as maintaining performance levels depends on fitness and rotation Meanwhile Liverpool and Chelsea will need to remain consistent limit injuries and perhaps strengthen further in the future to keep pace The balance of quality depth and management will likely determine which club ultimately lifts the trophy .
Conclusion
John Obi Mikel’s assessment that Arsenal now have the strongest squad in the Premier League is a significant statement given his experience and connection to Chelsea Arsenal’s heavy investment has placed them in a strong position to challenge more seriously for the title However Mikel also makes clear that Liverpool and Chelsea are not to be ignored as both still have the quality and mentality to compete The coming months will reveal whether Arsenal’s depth truly sets them apart or if the experience of their rivals proves decisive in the race for the Premier League crown .