Alan Smith Backs Arsenal to Bounce Back and Win Premier League Title

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has thrown his weight behind his old club in the Premier League title race, insisting the Gunners remain strong favourites despite their recent stumble.

Arsenal’s grip at the top of the table loosened last weekend after a dramatic 3–2 home defeat to Manchester United, a result that trimmed their lead to four points and sparked fresh debate about Mikel Arteta’s side and their mentality under pressure.

However, Smith believes the reaction has been overblown. Speaking to Sky Sports, the former England international described the loss as nothing more than a temporary setback.

“They have the best squad in the league, there’s no doubt about that,” Smith said.
“I think Arteta might just need to make some small changes to his tactics and maybe bring in some new players.”

Arsenal now turn their attention to Europe, where they face Kairat Almaty in their final Champions League group-stage fixture on Wednesday, before switching focus back to domestic action with a tricky league trip to Leeds United this weekend.

Opinion: One Loss Won’t Define This Arsenal Side

If anything, this defeat could be the moment that sharpens Arsenal rather than derails them. Title-winning teams are not measured by unbeaten runs alone, but by how they respond to setbacks—and this Arsenal squad has shown resilience time and again under Arteta.

Alan Smith’s confidence is not blind loyalty; it’s rooted in what we’ve seen all season. Arsenal’s squad depth, tactical flexibility, and hunger set them apart. Yes, tweaks may be needed, and yes, pressure will rise—but that is the price of being genuine contenders.

The real test now is character. A strong response in Europe followed by a composed performance against Leeds could quickly silence the doubts. For Arsenal fans, the message is clear: the title race is far from slipping away—this team is still very much in control of its destiny.