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Publication date: Monday, September 7, 2020 11:03 AM
Danny Murphy insists that Arsenal can “challenge” Manchester United for a top-four finish ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Gunners finished in a humble eighth position last season after a terrible start to the season that saw Unai Emery replaced by Mikel Arteta.
Despite the poor placement in the Premier League table, Arteta led Arsenal to FA Cup glory and started the new campaign well with their Community Shield win over Liverpool in late August.
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Man Utd, who finished ten points ahead of the Gunners, also struggled in the early part of the season, before their improved form in 2020 saw them finish third in the Premier League.
Both clubs have made transfers in the summer window and Murphy expects them to fight for a top four spot.
Murphy wrote in the Daily mail: “FA Cup and Community Shield winners Arsenal have transformed with Mikel Arteta and added Willian and center-back Gabriel Magalhaes to the outstanding youngsters they have, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is likely to stay.
“They could challenge Manchester United for a place in the top four, although United still have a slight advantage.
“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a very good player, Donny van de Beek from Ajax, although he is not the containment midfielder that I thought they needed.
“If he sent an offensive midfield from Bruno Fernandes, Pogba and van de Beek against a team like Manchester City, United would lose. Therefore, I assume that van de Beek can be seen as a long-term replacement for Pogba.
“We are also waiting to see if United break the bench for Jadon Sancho. He would make them better, but spending £ 100 million is a big decision when they already have firepower up front and I would consider a middle half a higher priority. “
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