Paul Merson: Arsenal will dominate English football for years

Liverpool will be Gunners’ biggest threat next season, adds former midfielder

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has told Historic Newspapers he believes the Gunners are going to dominate English football for the foreseeable future, after winning their first Premier League title in 22 years last night, claiming he can’t see anyone beating Mikel Arteta’s men next season. 

“I’m so glad Arsenal finally got over the line, and I think that’s it now – they’ll dominate English football for the next few years,” Merson said. “Not too many teams go back-to-back in the Premier League, but you can’t say that Arsenal won’t do it next season when you look at the quality they have."

“Arsenal’s biggest threat next season will be Liverpool. Liverpool didn’t get it right last season when they bought players from outside of England who didn’t settle. If Arsenal are going to spend a lot of money then they need to do it on players from the Premier League who are going to hit the ground running, like Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi did for Manchester City." 

“The Premier League is hard and gruelling, and Liverpool will be a much better team next season with the likes of Alexander Isak returning and Florian Wirtz having a season under his belt."

“Arsenal can’t get stuck. When you’re the best, you can’t think that you can just stick with what you’ve got – you’ve got to go again and buy a couple more players. Having said that, I can’t see anyone beating Arsenal next season.”

Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world

Merson praised Arsenal’s recruitment in recent years and the way Mikel Arteta has built a winning team, to ultimately deliver a first Premier League title since The Invincibles in 2003-04.

He added: “It’s remarkable to think it took 22 years for Arsenal to win the Premier League again, since the Invincibles, but what finally earned them the title was a group of robust players who turn up week-in, week-out. Declan Rice has been incredible in that regard."

“Mikel Arteta has assembled a strong squad with signings who may have gone under the radar when they were first joined, particularly players like Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Leandro Trossard." 

“They chose to replace Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya, and he’s gone on to become the best goalkeeper in the world." 

“They’ve also added players with an x-factor, like Eberechi Eze who can add touch of magic. What Arteta and the club have done to assemble this squad is unbelievable.”

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