Thomas Frank, the head coach of Brentford, believes Arsenal have what it takes to challenge for the Premier League title this year.
The Gunners defeated the Bees 3-0 on Sunday to reclaim first place in the standings, putting on a commanding performance in a match where they had previously appeared tentative.
Frank expressed his admiration for Arsenal and his belief that they can compete for the title after the game.
“They are top of the table, you can’t argue with that. They’ve done brilliant. I know it’s a long season but looking at the quality and if they continue like this, they must be title contenders,” he told Sky Sports.
Frank added to the written press: “I know it’s a long season and I know…I think Mikel has already been in here [to speak to media] so he probably said something along the lines of ‘it’s seven games, early in the season, we need to focus on the next game and win that’, which I would have done exactly the same, but from what I’ve seen in these seven games, they have been very good.
“I think they won all six games they won fair and square, and I think it could have gone either way against Manchester United.
“So I think they’ve done very well. I know it’s a long season, but…especially with [Gabriel] Jesus up there, wow, what a player. The confidence here. It’s nothing against Manchester City but sometimes the confidence just clicks in different places. You get into a new environment.
“Saka and Martinelli [are] one year older, Odegaard, what a player. And then I must say Saliba…woo. He’s going to be a full international player for France, I’m sure he’ll be in the starting lineup soon for that national team and that’s a strong national team.”