Ian Wright says he is sticking with his prediction that Arsenal will win the Premier League title, despite their slump in form during Martin Odegaard’s absence from the side.
Odegaard’s frustrating injury layoff coincided with a desperately poor run of results for Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s men already dropping points in six matches at this early stage of the campaign.
The north London outfit have been fortunate that champions Manchester City have also endured an extraordinarily disappointing start to the season, containing the longest losing streak of Pep Guardiola’s entire managerial career.
However, Arne Slot has hardly put a foot wrong since taking over the reins from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and the Merseyside giants now hold an imperious nine-point lead over fourth-placed Arsenal at the top.
Enzo Maresca has also enjoyed a promising start to his reign at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea sit above Arsenal on goal difference ahead of their clash with Aston Villa this weekend.
But Arsenal icon Wright has been encouraged by the Gunners’ performances since Odegaard’s return and is not changing his prediction after tipping his former club to come out on top back in August on The Overlap.
‘I’m not going to change my prediction,’ Wright said on the latest episode of Wrighty’s House.
‘Not just because I want it to happen so much, but I think Arsenal needed this time where they kind of fell off in those results.
‘Odegaard getting injured, and them having to really knuckle down, get the results done, then he’s come back and now look at them.
‘Now, it’s just chasing Liverpool, we’re chasing Liverpool.’
With Manchester City unrecognisable from the team that won four straight titles, Liam Delap – a player the champions let go for a fee of just £20million – has been a revelation for Ipswich.
The 21-year-old has hit the ground running at Portman Road, notching up six goals and an assist in his first 11 starts, and Wright believes the young forward is the standout player in the division on current form.
The legendary ex-Arsenal and England striker also gave special mention to Carlos Baleba, who has impressed all season and caught the eye in Brighton’s recent 2-1 win over City.
‘It’s a fun season. Can I just say… the best player, for me, that I’m seeing at the moment apart from [Carlos] Baleba, I’ve got to mention Baleba at Brighton and his little cameo against City,’ Wright added.
‘But Delap. Liam Delap reminds me of when John Hartson came to Arsenal when he was like 18 or 19.
‘He don’t care about nobody! Very technical, strong… City have got a buyback clause on him.’