Ex-Arsenal star names the 3 sides that will challenge Gunners for the PL title; reveals 2 issues that could derail the London club's chances

Former Gunner Nigel Winterburn has named three teams that will finish closest to Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title this season. He also revealed two key issues that may cost the Gunners the opportunity of claiming league glory at the end of the campaign.

Former defender Winterburn spoke with The Metro about his old club's chances of claiming a first league title in 21 years. He named reigning champions Liverpool and big-spenders Manchester City and Chelsea as the sides that will provide a challenge for the Gunners this season. He pointed to 'injuries' and 'mental swings' as factors that could also cost his former club.

“I think Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea will be the nearest teams to Arsenal. I hope we finish on top of the pile. It’s just incredible that people are talking about the title race being over. We haven’t even played 10 games of the season. We all know, you get after Christmas, then with the realisation of where you are and what you’re doing, the pressure builds. You pick up injuries and there are mental swings. The main challengers to Arsenal are Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea. At this moment in time, Bournemouth are doing great, Tottenham are up there. But I don’t think they will be the main challengers. The three I mentioned, I think one of those will be close to Arsenal, Whether that’s finishing ahead of us or finishing second", he said (via Football365).

Arsenal are on top of the league standings after nine rounds of matches, having picked up 22 points so far. Mikel Arteta's side are six points clear of Manchester City, who are fifth, seven clear of Liverpool in seventh, and eight clear of Chelsea in ninth.

The Gunners finished second in each of the last three Premier League seasons but are in a commanding position after the first quarter of the season. They are without injured stars Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus, as well as summer addition Noni Madueke, but have continued to rack up wins, regardless.

Arsenal boss provides update on injured quartet

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the timeline for a return to action for the quartet of Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Noni Madueke. The Spanish tactician spoke to the press ahead of his side's trip to Turf Moor to take on newly-promoted Burnley in the league on Saturday.

Arteta revealed that he hopes to have his players back fit in time for their North London derby after next month's international break. He expressed caution when speaking about them, stating that he does not know if all of them would be available.

"I would say weeks, and some of them pretty soon, hopefully, if they keep evolving the way they are doing. Difficult to put a game, you know, that we have the international break, which is a two-week break there. And after that, I think we'll have some back. I don't know if it's going to be all of them, some of them, but we'll be quite close by then", he said (via ESPN).

Gabriel Jesus is the long-term absentee of the quartet, having been out since January after rupturing his ACL. Madueke and Havertz both suffered knee injuries at the start of the season, and Odegaard picked up his knee injury earlier this month.

Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen