‘Really good players’: Mikel Arteta names three Arsenal stars who could help down Man City this season

Arsenal have made a decent start to the Premier League season as they look to finally win the title at the third attempt.

The Gunners have come a long way since their upper mid-table days of the late 2010s and early 2020s, with Mikel Arteta transforming his team into a bona fide title challenger.

Arsenal came close in 2022/23 and then took the title race to the final day in 2023/24, though Manchester City proved too powerful once they got going late on in the season.

The Gunners now have a world-class team with some great strength in depth, which could go on to make all the difference during the difficult home straight.

Arsenal icon Viv Anderson has now given his verdict on several players who could have a big say in the title race this season.

Viv Anderson praises Arsenal quartet Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz

Anderson, speaking to Sky Sports, has earmarked Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes as key players for Arsenal this term.

Meanwhile, Kai Havertz could be crucial for the Gunners if he continues on his rich vein of form, added the 68-year-old.

“You could say Arsenal need a centre-forward like (Erling) Haaland who is going to score them 20-odd league goals, but Kai Havertz has started quite well,” said Anderson.

“So if he can continue to get in the positions to score the goals, and is up there with 15 or 16, maybe even 20, then you are going to be thereabouts.

“With the likes of Sterling, Saka and Gabriel at the back, Arsenal have got some really good players, so it is going to be close.”

Where could Havertz play in NLD?

Arteta has some thinking to do with regards to replacing Declan Rice, who was controversially sent off against Brighton.

Mikel Merino would’ve been his replacement for the upcoming North London derby, but he’s currently out injured.

With that in mind, Charles Watts has predicted that Havertz could drop deep and play in Arsenal’s midfield for the trip to Tottenham.

“It’s just a huge, huge game and I think the most likely option will be Havertz,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“I mean, you can play Trossard up front and you can play Martinelli on the left and Saka on the right.

“As much as I would prefer Havertz to stay as a central striker, I look around at the squad that Arsenal have with Merino injured and I just don’t really see what other option there is for Arteta”.