Arsenal’s title dream will be affected by this stumbling block – ‘it will play a key role’
Arsenal are leading the way in the Premier League but might hit a stumbling block that will derail their progress.
Mikel Arteta’s side have finished runners-up in each of the past three seasons, to Manchester City twice and to Liverpool last term.
On Saturday (8 November), Arsenal drew 2-2 with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, ending their 10-game winning streak.
Man City then beat Liverpool 3-0 to close the gap at the top of the table to just four points.
Arsenal could be hit by injury crisis
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Arsenal are far from guaranteed as title winners this season.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that injuries always play a key role and that the Gunners could be affected by player unavailability at some point.
Viktor Gyokeres is currently out injured for Arsenal, and Riccardo Calafiori is now also a doubt after he missed Italy training on international duty.
Wyness added that it is going to be a closely fought title race and that three or four teams are still in the hunt.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “We’ve all seen Arsenal make a few slip-ups and we’re nowhere near the end of the season. We’ve not even done a third of the season yet, so a long way to go.
“Injuries will always play a key role, so let’s just see how those things pan out along but I do think it’s nowhere near as Arsenal’s title yet.
“I think it’s going to be quite close and there are a few things to drop yet in terms of the excitement but it’s certainly a good season.
“I do think there could be three or four clubs still challenging. We’ve got plenty of things still to happen.”
Arsenal respond to Martin Odegaard interest
Meanwhile, Arsenal will fend off any advances from Barcelona for Martin Odegaard as they look to keep their club captain, sources have told Football Insider.
The Norway international is on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Hansi Flick’s side.
Despite the interest, the Gunners do not envision a future without the 26-year-old and will block any attempts to lure him away from north London.
Even though Odegaard remains troubled by injuries for Arsenal, Arteta will be patient and will wait for his eventual return.
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