Mohamed Salah has put a little extra pressure on the shoulders of Arsenal, claiming they are the “favourites” for the Premier League title.
On Wednesday, the 33-year-old won the PFA Player of the Year award for 2024/25, making him the first-ever player to win the prize three times.
Speaking to an Arsenal-supporting interviewer at the ceremony, Salah said the Gunners are the favourites to be champions this season, in some early mind games.
“I think you have a great team this season and last season, so you have a really good chance,” a smiling Salah said.
“I think you are favourites now because you have players that have been together for five years now.
“I can’t say I wish you luck, but hopefully we do it again.”
Salah’s comments can clearly be construed as mind games, with the Liverpool legend wanting to crank some early-season pressure on Arsenal, who have finished second for three consecutive seasons.
There is some truth in his comments, however, with Mikel Arteta’s side arguably the most settled out of themselves, Liverpool and Man City.
The core of Arsenal‘s squad have now been together for years, including Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel and Ben White, and they need to win a major trophy.
After three straight runners-up finishes for the Gunners, they have no excuses not to kick on under Arteta.
That said, Liverpool did go into the season as the bookies’ favourites, aided by some superb signings, especially Florian Wirtz.
That remains the case, and if Alexander Isak does end up moving to Anfield from Newcastle this month, their chances of retaining the title will only increase.
City are also right in the mix, following a poor 2024/25 campaign, with Erling Haaland in ominous form at Wolves last weekend and new signing Tijjani Reijnders impressing.
This feels like a title battle that could go right to the wire, and as can so often be the case, whoever suffers most with injuries could fall away.
For Arsenal and Arteta, though, the pressure is on the most and Salah knows that – hopefully, his remarks only increase the heat on them.
