Exclusive: Aliadiere backs Saka and Havertz to propel Arsenal to title

Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere says both Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz can fire his old side to Premier League title glory this season.

The pair have already registered 17 goal contributions between them so far this term for a Gunners side hoping to go one better than the consecutive second-placed finishes they've managed over the two previous campaigns.

Arsenal have taken 17 points from their first seven matches in the league and are one of only two sides yet to lose a game. 

They currently trail leaders Liverpool by a point and are level on points with reigning champions Manchester City, who boast a superior goal difference over Mikel Arteta's side.

Aliadiere: 'Arsenal look ready to win the league'

Aliadiere made 29 appearances for the North London club and was part of the last Arsenal squad to win the Premier League back in 2003-04 season.

The bookmakers anticipate that run could be ended come May though, with the Gunners currently sitting 8/5 favourites to claim top spot this time around.

Speaking exclusively to Odds Now, via William Hill Vegas, Aliadiere says these odds are justified based on the additions made to Arteta's squad during the summer.

He said: "Absolutely yes, they [Arsenal] are worthy of being favourites to win the Premier League this season.

"Arsenal have strengthened well with [Riccardo] Calafiori who looks a good signing and [Mikel] Merino is now fit and I expect him to be a big part of the team moving forward.

"With [Manchester City midfielder] Rodri injured as well, this can also have a big effect on things. However, anything can change during a season, a slice of luck, suspensions, injuries, so Arsenal must stay fully focused each game."

Aliadiere has been impressed by Arsenal's summer acquisitions, including Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

The Frenchman emphasised the need to avoid slip-ups against lower opposition, particularly considering the impact such results had on Arsenal's eventual finish last season. 

Despite going unbeaten against title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, the Gunners were unable to navigate a route ahead of Pep Guardiola's side, who won a record fourth consecutive title on the final day.

Costly defeats to opposition further down the table played a key role in their fate. 

Nevertheless, Aliadiere is confident Arteta's side can right those wrongs to put themselves in a strong position to compete at the top end of the table. 

"You can see Arsenal want it in every single game and this is key because defeats to Fulham and West Ham especially last season were so costly.

"You can’t afford to slip up in these games and Arsenal look as though they are ready to be fully focused for every remaining game."

Despite the injury to Rodri, reigning champions City remain hot on the Gunners' heels with the bookmakers and are currently priced as narrow second favourites at 9/5.

Arne Slot's Liverpool come in at 4/1 to upset the odds in the Dutchman's first season in charge.

'Saliba and Gabriel need to win a major trophy to go down as all-time greats'

There can be no denying Arsenal's upward trajectory over the last two seasons. 

Back-to-back second-placed finishes saw them return to the Champions League after a seven-year hiatus from the competition. 

A key pillar has been their superb defensive readings - no side conceded fewer than the 29 goals Arsenal shipped in the league last season. 

They also registered three clean sheets in seven of their league outings this time around. 

Centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been at the heart of their success at the back, though the pair only have a handful of Community Shield medals to show for it so far.

Aliadiere insists the pairing must win silverware to back up any claims of them being among the best partnerships the league have seen. 

He said: "They are excellent - a super pairing of high quality centre-backs [who are] strong, excellent on the ball, quick, and can tackle and are agile. As a pairing they have shown they are up there [with the best in Premier League history], for sure.

"However, they do need to win the Premier League or Champions League to go down as one of the iconic partnerships. Currently, I don’t think anyone would argue they are the best pairing in the Premier League, but they must continue to show their quality."

Aliadiere insists trophies are needed if Saliba and Gabriel are to go down in Premier League centre-back history. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

'Arsenal have enough goals in their team to win the league'

One criticism thrown towards Arsenal has been their lack of an established goalscorer to fire them to league title glory. 

Champions Manchester City boast a free-scoring behemoth in Erling Haaland who, over the course of less than three seasons, already has 73 Premier League goals to his name. 

Liverpool also have the ever-reliable Mohamed Salah in their ranks - a man who has scored at least 18 goals in all seven of the seasons he has completed in the English top-flight.

Doubts remain over whether the Arsenal forwards can propel the North Londoners to a first Premier League win in over two decades, particularly when games are tight down the stretch of the campaign. 

Aliadiere has poured water on any concerns though, saying he believes the combined quality of Arsenal's attacking players will be enough to keep them within touching distance of the top. 

Do Arsenal have enough goals in their side to win the Premier League? (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

He said: "They score goals from all over the pitch and Havertz and Saka seem to be the main goalscorers, but Martinelli is coming back to form, Trossard is always dangerous and scores goals, plus Jesus needs to take his chance when he plays.

"From midfield, Odegaard will score when he comes back and set pieces are also a threat."

The aforementioned Haaland looks a safe bet to win a third consecutive Golden Boot - the Norwegian has already scored 10 times in the league this season - but could any of Arsenal's forwards come out on top on the 'top goalscorer without Erling Haaland' line? 

Havertz is currently the club's top goalscorer in the league with four goals and is available at a best price of 16/1 generally. 

Saka, meanwhile, sits at 25/1 with Bet Victor.

Jeremie Aliadiere was speaking exclusively to Odds Now via William Hill Vegas.