Craig Burley: “Arsenal Are the Strongest Team in the Premier League — By a Stretch”

Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has boldly declared that Arsenal are the best team in the Premier League this season “by a stretch,” despite the Gunners being held to a 1–1 draw by Chelsea on Sunday.

Arsenal currently sit five points clear of Manchester City, who remain their closest challengers at the top of the table. With back-to-back runner-up finishes in the past three seasons, many believe this campaign represents their best opportunity yet to finally lift the Premier League trophy under Mikel Arteta.

But Burley insists that with their current strength, failing to win the title this season would create serious psychological pressure within the team and raise tough questions for Arteta.

“If Arsenal don’t get over the line this year, that’s going to be a psychological battering ram for them because they are the strongest in this league by a stretch,” Burley said on ESPN.

“But if they somehow let one of those others win it, I wouldn’t want to be Mikel Arteta facing the questions.”

Opinion: Arsenal’s Biggest Battle Might Not Be Man City — It Might Be Themselves

Burley’s comments shine a light on something Arsenal fans quietly understand: this season feels different. The squad is deeper, the mentality is stronger, and the football is mature. On paper, Arsenal truly look like the best side in the league.

But football titles aren’t won on paper — they’re won in the pressure moments.

What makes Burley’s warning even more compelling is that Arsenal’s biggest challenge may no longer be Manchester City breathing down their necks, but the weight of expectation on their own shoulders. After three seasons of falling just short, the narrative of “almost there” can easily become a mental barrier.

The Gunners don’t just need to play beautifully; they need to prove they can finish ruthlessly.

With the winter grind approaching and rivals ready to pounce on any slip, Arsenal must treat every match like a final. Because if they don’t cross the finish line this time, the questions awaiting Arteta won’t just be loud — they’ll be unavoidable.