Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Liverpool have the strongest squad in the Premier League. The champions recently signed Alexander Isak for a British record fee.
Liverpool paid £125 million ($169 million) to Newcastle for the Sweden striker. They added another top attacking option to Arne Slot’s side. Last season, the Reds won their 20th English title. Since then, they spent over £400 million on new players. Florian Wirtz joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £100 million.
Liverpool’s spending was around £200 million more than Arsenal’s on eight new players. However, Liverpool’s net spend was lower due to more than £200 million in sales. Before the international break, Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield in an early clash of title favourites.
Liverpool are top of the table with three wins from three matches. Arsenal have six points.
Asked about Isak’s arrival, Arteta said: “They are the strongest for sure. They have signed the two most decisive players in Europe (Isak and Wirtz). They did really well. We need to look at ourselves and improve.”
Arsenal have not won the league since 2004. Arteta’s only trophy in five years as manager is the 2020 FA Cup. Last season, Arsenal finished 10 points behind Liverpool.
“It is not just about Liverpool. The league is very competitive. It is hard to stay consistent and win the matches needed to take the title,” Arteta said. “It will be a long run for all of us.”
Arsenal face Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. England winger Bukayo Saka will miss the game with a hamstring injury from the 5-0 win over Leeds. Defender William Saliba trained on Friday and may play after limping off against Liverpool.
Arteta will meet former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, who takes charge of Forest for the first time. “Ange has a clear style and identity. His teams are a joy to watch. I have learned a lot from him. It will be a very difficult game,” Arteta said.
