Arsenal have had an almost perfect start to the season in the Premier League so far. Mikel Arteta’s side have won six out of seven matches which sees the Gunners sit at the top of the table.
There is a clear progression compared to last season, as the north London side had already lost three matches at this point in the previous campaign. And that played a major part in Arsenal narrowly missing out on a top-four finish.
And former Gunners star Bacary Sagna believes that this Arsenal will qualify for the Champions League for the first time in over half-a-decade this season. This would also see Liverpool potentially missing out on qualification for the European elite competition.
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Arsenal won their first five games of the season, which is a huge feat considering Arteta’s men lost the opening three games of the previous campaign. It is due to this that Sagna has heaped praise on the Gunners.
"I like the confidence of Arsenal. This is a team that is ready to play - they are not scared to play. They play out from the back and what I’m seeing at the club reminds me of the old days when I was there. All of these young, confident players," Sagna said when speaking to Lord Ping.
"Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere were two players who were very young but were not scared to play and take responsibility with the ball. When I look at Saka, it is unbelievable. Martinelli, Odegaard - these guys play like veterans.
"There is such good energy in the squad, you can feel it. Mikel deserves a lot of credit. He is starting to bring the club back to where it belongs after a difficult period after Wenger left."
Arsenal have come out of the blocks the quickest this season, meaning the Gunners lead the league by point with Manchester City just behind on 17 points. It is because of this, Sagna believes that the north London side will finish ahead of Liverpool.
The former Arsenal full-back said: "I do think Liverpool are the team who could fall out of the top four this season based on the opening seven matches so far, simply because they have dropped quite a few points already. They are already nine points behind Arsenal in first and, mentally, it is hard to close the gap when all the teams above them keep winning. It will be a test for the players, and I think this is something new for most of them.
"I think Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City will definitely finish in the top four. Then you only have one spot left, which will be fought between Liverpool and Chelsea."
Arsenal will be looking to continue their impressive form following the end of the September international break. The Gunners return with a tough fixture against Tottenham in the North London Derby.
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