Nigel Winterburn feels the Premier League title race is far from over and has named three clubs who could stop Arsenal from landing the trophy.
Arsenal have been waiting for over two decades to be crowned champions on England and have been runners-up for the last three seasons in a row.
The Gunners are in a strong position this term, with the north London side sitting top of the table and conceding just three goals across nine games.
Arsenal are four points clear of second-placed AFC Bournemouth and five points ahead of Tottenham and Sunderland, who are third and fourth.
Manchester City are in fifth, six points behind Arsenal, while current champions Liverpool are down in seventh and seven points off the leaders.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Despite Liverpool losing four games in a row, and City not as dominant as they once were, Winterburn is adamant both teams are still in the title race.
Winterburn is also refusing to rule out ninth-placed Chelsea – but doesn’t think his old club Arsenal should be worried about Spurs or Bournemouth.
‘I think Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea will be the nearest teams to Arsenal,’ former Gunners star Winterburn told Metro.
‘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.’
Leicester City were the last team outside of the so-called ‘Big Six’ to win the Premier League title nine years ago – but Winterburn isn’t convinced that Bournemouth or Sunderland will replicate that success this season.
Asked if it was farfetched to think Bournemouth could win the league, Winterburn added: ‘At the moment, yes.
‘Leicester, when the opportunity came, were incredible. At this moment in time, I don’t see it.
‘Bournemouth and Sunderland have done incredibly well at the start of the season. We know Bournemouth have real quality in the way they play with their manager.
‘They lost their whole back line and it’s some job to replace them. They’re there on merit, they’re dangerous, they deserve to be where they are.’
Nigel Winterburn speaking on behalf of Fruity Slots, which recommends UKGC-licensed online casinos.
MORE: Nani urges Manchester United to sign ‘complete’ Tottenham star
MORE: Concerning Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba injury update ahead of Burnley vs Arsenal
MORE: Alexander Isak injury latest as expert explains potential blow for Liverpool star
