Arsenal have been warned that they could still finish behind Manchester United in the Premier League this season despite their strong start.
The Gunners sit top of the table after nine games and are currently nine points ahead of Erik ten Hag's side. Arsenal have only lost one game in all competitions so far this season, coming against United at Old Trafford.
Mikel Arteta has played down talk of a Premier League title challenge this season but his team continue to impress after picking up key victories against Liverpool and Tottenham in recent weeks. The Gunners have arguably one of the easiest fixture schedules leading up to the World Cup next month, but their start to the second half of the season will prove crucial to whether they can maintain their form and fight Manchester City until the end.
READ MORE: What happened to Martin Odegaard after Arsenal beat Bodo/Glimt in Europa League
Despite Arsenal sitting top of the Premier League standings, many expect City to eventually overtake them to become Premier League champions. When asked if Ten Hag's side can be the ‘best of the rest’ behind City, ex-United star Paul Scholes replied: “Yeah, I think they can, they’ve got the squad to do that.
“They need to be more clinical though. We keep saying that. The chances they create, they’ve got to find goals from somewhere. There is goals in this team though.
"We see the fixtures they’ve got coming up and Manchester United are more than capable of beating most of those teams. Fifth-placed Man Utd are currently nine points adrift of Arsenal in the Premier League but Erik ten Hag’s side have a game in hand on the majority of teams in the league."
United suffered disappointing defeats to Brighton and Brentford at the start of the season, but turned a corner under Ten Hag after beating Liverpool. Scholes added: “After those first two games, I was really concerned that United wouldn’t finish in the top six.
"But the way they’ve fought back, winning five of their last six games, they’ve given themselves a great chance. They do look like they could be the best of the rest.
“I think they’ve got the squad of players that means they could be. It’s still very early days for some of these players, the manager and his staff as well. The longer it goes on, the more confident I’ll be of them getting in the top four.”
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Turner's distribution, Saliba concern and Arsenal desire
Why Granit Xhaka shouted at Matt Turner as Mikel Arteta's Arsenal prediction is proved right
Why Fabio Vieira shouted at Reiss Nelson, Turner half-time drill: Arsenal moments missed vs Bodo
Turner, Nelson and Mikel Arteta’s relief – Arsenal winners and losers after Bodo/Glimt victory
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
