Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has backed Arsenal to end their long wait for a Premier League title this summer.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is determined to end his side’s reputation as serial runners-up and has spent heavily to add the likes of Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Martín Zubimendi and Piero Hincapié to his group.
While those new signings are impressive, Mbappé believes the strength of Arsenal’s core of players—William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, among others—is what could carry them over the line.
Asked for his title predictions by BILD, Mbappé acknowledged Liverpool and Manchester City as two other teams capable of lifting the trophy.
“Of course, Liverpool has to be mentioned first and foremost, as they’re determined to win one title after another,” he explained. “But I also have high hopes for Arsenal, because the core of the team has known each other for a long time, and that’s a crucial factor in football.
“And Manchester City is always at the forefront anyway, with Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland.”
Mbappé was then pushed for a definitive prediction, and it was here that he offered Arsenal as future winners.
“That’s tough,” the Real Madrid forward said. “Maybe Arsenal, maybe it will be their year. It would certainly be easier to say City or Liverpool.”
Liverpool are the early leaders in the Premier League title race, opening up a two-point lead after the first three games of the season, thanks in part to a 1–0 victory over Arteta’s Arsenal before the international break.
The Gunners sit third, with two wins from three games, while City find themselves 13th after two straight defeats piled the pressure right back on Guardiola.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ‘Maybe Their Year’—Kylian Mbappe Predicts Premier League Title Winners.