Former England striker Michael Owen has confidently backed Arsenal to secure the Premier League title this season, brushing aside suggestions that the Gunners are prone to choking under pressure. Despite a recent Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, Owen believes Mikel Arteta's side will comfortably cross the finish line due to their commanding league position and consistent performance.
Title Race Unfazed by Cup Setback
Arsenal's hopes for a quadruple were dashed at Wembley as they fell to a narrow loss against Manchester City, with Nico O'Reilly scoring the decisive goal. However, the north London club maintains a significant nine-point advantage over their rivals in the Premier League standings, though City hold a game in hand. Owen, speaking in his role as an ambassador for Casino.org, downplayed the impact of the cup final on the title run-in, emphasising that Arsenal only face City once more this season.
Efficiency Over Experience
In an interview with Mirror Football, Owen highlighted Arsenal's efficiency as a key factor in their success. He argued that it is rare for a team to leap from fifth place to champions without first enduring near-misses, citing examples like Liverpool and Manchester City, who both finished as runners-up before clinching titles. "I don't buy that Arsenal are bottlers or anything else like that," Owen stated. "They're so efficient. I can't really see them slipping up."
He further noted that City's remaining fixtures appear slightly more challenging than Arsenal's, suggesting the Gunners are well-positioned to secure the league. "It looks like Arsenal are home and hosed," he added, expressing confidence in their ability to maintain their lead.
Relief Over Quadruple Hopes
While Arsenal remain contenders in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, Owen expressed relief that they are no longer in contention for a historic quadruple. He acknowledged that Arsenal are a "bloody good" team but not on the level of "generational" sides like Manchester City's 100-point squad or Liverpool's 99-point team. "If a team are going to do the quadruple, I just think it needs to be a bloody good team, and obviously Arsenal are bloody good, but they're not like a generational team," he explained.
Owen believes winning a double, such as the Premier League and FA Cup, would be a fitting achievement for Arsenal this season. "They've been the best team in the Premier League, they deserve that," he said, praising their efforts and suggesting they merit at least one major trophy.
Injury Concerns and Future Prospects
The article also touches on Arsenal's current challenges, including a sudden injury crisis that has seen five players withdraw from international duty. Despite this, Owen remains optimistic about their title chances, viewing the cup loss as a minor setback in a broader campaign. He emphasised that Arsenal's journey reflects a natural building process in football, where teams often face setbacks before achieving ultimate success.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Arsenal can hold their nerve and deliver on Owen's prediction, silencing critics who label them as "bottlers." With key matches ahead, including the crucial clash against Manchester City, the Gunners' resilience will be put to the test in their pursuit of silverware.
