Date: 28th September 2022 at 8:00am
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Former Chelsea and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has claimed that Arsenal lack the mentality and squad needed to mount a genuine title challenge this season.

THE LOWDOWN: SURPRISE START

Arsenal’s current position in the Premier League is something of a surprise to everyone, including the clubs’ supporters. Despite a transfer window with brilliant additions altogether, no one could have believed that the Gunners would be top of the table, headed into the international break.

That is the reality at the moment, with Arsenal now the early pacesetters and surprise candidates to mount a genuine challenge. Mikel Arteta’s men have won all but one of their seven league games so far – a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Talking about consistency, the Gunners have proven to be one of the most consistent sides but many are still doubting their ability to keep up their current performances, given how they have slumped on several occasions over the years.

While former boss Arsene Wenger and a host of others think Arsenal might be up to something different this season, Glen Johnson believes a familiar case of ‘mentality struggles’ and squad depth will catch up with the Gunners in the course of the season.

THE LATEST: MENTALITY QUESTIONED

Speaking to the Daily Express, Johnson has questioned whether Arsenal haVE what it takes to go all the way this season, after a strong start to the current campaign.

“They’ve started very strong and I think they surprised most people the way they’ve come out the blocks,” Johnson said. “I don’t think they’ll have the squad or the character to sustain a proper title challenge until the end. I think they will for a while, but it’s so tough to do that across a whole season.

“I expect them to be there or thereabouts but I think they will fade away. I’d just put that down to having a slightly lighter squad, but if they strengthen and get a couple of people in they might have the legs to take it to the end.”

THE VERDICT: TIME WILL TELL

It would be wrong to say Arsenal will falter again after only seven games and it is also wrong to think that a title challenge can be mounted in the same vein.

However, it is evident that the Gunners are much better than they were last season and the fact that they are eight points better off than they were at this stage last season pretty much says a lot.

 

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