Arsenal are competing in the Premier League title race alongside Manchester City and Liverpool, and could taste glory for the first time in 20 years.
The Gunners’ title challenge has been boosted by the signing of Declan Rice in the summer, who has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season.
Rice was outstanding as he helped Arsenal secure their first point at Man City under Pep Guardiola, which saw Mikel Arteta’s side maintain their position above the Champions.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has now praised Arsenal for how they are performing in the title race, and revealed a conversation he recently had with Rice.
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Rio Ferdinand gives Declan Rice encouragement as Arsenal challenge for title
Speaking on Vibe With Five, Ferdinand revealed that he told Rice that he believes Arsenal can win the title this year.
“I was saying to Declan – he watches the show, and I said ‘I actually feel you’ve got a really good chance, I think you could win it this year,'” he explained.
“I actually do think you could genuinely win it. I think it’s a good three-horse race. I was really Man City dominant before, and I thought they were definitely going to win it, but after the last few weeks, what I’ve seen, I just think the experience of last season and the mentality could give them confidence to win it.”
Arsenal’s experience will help them in Premier League title race
Arsenal came close to winning the title last season, but fell apart in the final few weeks of the campaign.
Rice’s addition has made them defensively stronger, and this could set Arsenal up well for the high-intensity run-in, with the Gunners facing a busy April schedule in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Arteta’s side are now playing with more maturity, with Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Man City an example of how they have become more resolute, and less naive in big games.
Tough trips to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United lay ahead this season, and these will be huge tests for Arsenal, but they will head into these games with a lot more experience than they did at the end of last year’s failed challenge.