‘Arsene Wenger thinks this group can win the Premier League… they CAN’T!’ – Alan Smith tells talkSPORT
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has made it clear he disagrees with Arsene Wenger’s assertion the Gunners can win the Premier League with their current group of players.
Following the final day of the season win over Everton, which secured Arsenal’s fifth place finish, Wenger told talkSPORT: “No matter what happens, I’m convinced this group will win the Premier League [either] next year or [in the future]. If you keep them together they will be a force next year.”
That is a bold claim to make, considering the north London outfit finished the season 18 points behind winners Chelsea - and outside the top four for the first time since Wenger’s arrival at the club.
They never mounted a serious title challenge, and Smith only feels they would be able to compete next season if they bring players to the club - not by sticking with this current group.
The former striker, who scored over 100 goals for the Gunners, told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “It all depends on who comes into the club.
“He says that group of players, he believes, can win the league - I don’t agree with him on that.
“We thought it was going to be a six-horse race (for the title) this year and it wasn’t, so you just never know how it’s going to turn out.”
While a six-horse race was predicted prior to the start of the 2016/17 season, Smith feels such a title race is more likely in the forthcoming campaign.
Assessing Arsenal’s rivals, he continued: “Chelsea - if they lose Diego Costa how do they replace him? Can they have a season like this where they have very few injuries and it all came together? I don’t know.
“Manchester City - they are going to get better.
“I’d fancy Tottenham if they weren’t moving to Wembley, I really would. I think it might be a problem for them, taking away a little advantage of being at home.
“Liverpool, as well, might be in the mix. Also, Manchester United are supposed to spend big in the summer.”