Mikel Arteta has earned praise for Arsenal’s resurgence, but former Gunners defender William Gallas has cautioned that the team still falls short of Europe’s top clubs. Despite two impressive Premier League seasons with 84 and 89 points, Arsenal is still chasing their first league title since 2004.
While Manchester City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola has slipped this season, the competition remains fierce. Liverpool, revitalized under Arne Slot, leads the Premier League with strong performances, and Chelsea, led by Enzo Maresca, has become a powerful contender, with the highest goal tally in the league.
Arsenal has also made strides in the Champions League, defeating Monaco 3-0 and securing a spot in the top three of the new league-phase format. However, Gallas believes they should focus on domestic success.
“There are teams in the Champions League better than Arsenal,” Gallas said to Prime Casino. “Liverpool, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich are ahead in terms of quality. Arsenal should prioritize the Premier League. This is their best chance to win it, because next season, the competition will only get tougher with Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City coming back stronger.”
Arsenal’s momentum was briefly interrupted by a frustrating draw against Fulham after three straight league wins. Now, as they prepare to face struggling Everton at home, Arteta praised the resilience of his former club.
“They haven’t lost their fighting spirit and unity despite challenges,” Arteta said. “Everton’s future looks promising, especially with their new stadium project.”
Facing mounting pressure to succeed, Arteta finds himself at a critical point. Can Arsenal finally end their Premier League drought while staying competitive in Europe?
