Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has backed Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season, arguing that squad continuity and a growing belief system under Mikel Arteta give the Gunners a distinct advantage over their rivals.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, Lescott acknowledged the inherent difficulty of retaining the English top-flight crown but insisted the current trajectory at the Emirates Stadium points toward sustained success. “It is very early [to make predictions], but you would say Arsenal,” Lescott said. “Considering the key factors, they probably have fewer obstacles ahead of them.”
The former England international, who won two league titles during his time at City, highlighted the stability Arteta has cultivated in North London. He suggested that the core of the squad has remained largely intact, allowing for a depth of understanding and tactical cohesion that typically takes years to develop. “[Mikel] Arteta has continuity with the players and the squad now has genuine belief, so I would say Arsenal,” Lescott added. “I know how difficult it is to win back-to-back titles, so that is my overriding opinion.”
Arsenal have finished as runners-up to Manchester City in each of the last two seasons, pushing the champions to the final day in the most recent campaign. That proximity to the summit has fostered a conviction within the dressing room that the margin for error has narrowed significantly. Lescott’s assessment rests on the premise that the psychological barrier has been broken, replaced by an expectation to compete for the highest honours.
While the pundit conceded the historical weight of the challenge — no side has retained the Premier League trophy since City achieved the feat in 2019 — he maintained that the structural foundations at Arsenal are uniquely positioned to defy that trend. The continuity of personnel, combined with strategic recruitment aimed at reinforcing specific areas rather than overhauling the starting eleven, suggests a project entering its peak window.
For Arteta, the endorsement from a former City title-winner underscores the respect the project commands across the divide. The Spanish manager has overseen a transformation that has taken the club from Champions League absentees to genuine title contenders in a short span. Lescott’s verdict places the onus on Arsenal to convert that potential into silverware, a test that will define the legacy of the current generation.
The new season presents a fresh examination of those credentials. With City remaining the benchmark and other challengers strengthening, the “fewer obstacles” Lescott identifies will be tested immediately. However, the former defender’s confidence rests on a tangible asset: a squad that no longer hopes to win, but expects to.
