Arsenal have been backed to win both the Premier League and the Champions League this season after being told they have shown the “mark of champions” – but they have also been warned that Manchester City and Pep Guardiola “will not let go”.
The Gunners’ latest performances have strengthened belief that Mikel Arteta’s side can mount a serious challenge on two fronts, with their consistency and game management singled out as the kind of trait normally seen in title-winning teams.
However, the scale of the task has also been underlined, with City once again viewed as the biggest obstacle in the league. Guardiola’s side have a track record of staying in the race deep into the season, and the message from those backing Arsenal is that the reigning champions will not loosen their grip without a fight.
Arsenal’s progress in Europe has also been highlighted as a reason for optimism, with the club seen as having the tools to compete with the best in the competition. The belief is that Arteta’s squad now has the maturity to handle the pressure of knockout football while also keeping up their domestic standards.
Even so, the warning remains clear: if Arsenal are to complete a rare double, they will need to maintain their level through the decisive months, because City’s mentality – and Guardiola’s relentless demands – mean they will keep pushing to the end.
