Arsenal told they are ‘half a decade away from vaguely resembling’ title challengers

Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has told Arsenal fans there isn’t a “parallel universe where a sensible case can be made” for the Gunners to win the Premier League in the near future.

The Gunners have had a good season so far this term with Mikel Arteta getting his team challenging for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Arsenal currently occupy fourth spot, three points behind third-placed Chelsea and two points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, who they play in the north London derby next Thursday.

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There are some who think Arsenal have done well this season due to their lack of European football and, with Liverpool and Manchester City set to improve again in the summer, Jordan can’t see the Gunners getting anywhere a title for a long time yet.

“Arsenal are building, rebuilding, and getting some momentum,” Jordan told talkSPORT.

“If there’s an argument that irrespective of how ambitious they are in the transfer window this summer, they can win the title – I think that’s a bit far-fetched.

“I think unless there’s a significant decline at Man City… and we’re talking about them signing people like Erling Haaland, so there won’t be any decline there.

“Jurgen Klopp has signed on for another two years to add to the two years on his contract, so he’s still in the game.

“I think Arteta will do very well to stabilise Arsenal in the familiar territory that Arsene Wenger’s legacy had – which was to always be playing in Europe, and more often than not, the Champions League.

“Arsenal are still very much a work in progress and they’re going to need to invest quite significantly in a variety of players – especially forward players.

“My view is that this will be the making or breaking of Arteta. Two or three years into his job, if we’re not seeing Arsenal winning things, questions will start to be asked about where they’re going to get to.

“I think they’ll do well next year to get inside the top four. You’ve got an Erik ten Hag-infused Manchester United. You’ve got new Chelsea owners and Thomas Tuchel maybe back to his best. You’ve got Antonio Conte at Tottenham.

“I think they’ll do very well to win fourth spot. That would be considered a win. I don’t think there’s a parallel universe where a sensible case can be made for Arsenal to win the Premier League.

“I think Arsenal are half a decade away from vaguely resembling something like that.”