Mikel Arteta proves Sergio Aguero right following bold Arsenal Premier League prediction

Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero is one of the few people who predicted Arsenal to challenge for this season's Premier League title.

The north London outfit finished fifth last season, pipped to a top-four spot by local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. However, the progress under Mikel Arteta's stewardship was clear to see, with the Gunners' squad cecntred around young talents like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.

Still, not many people thought that Arteta's side would be ready to mount a serious title challenge just yet but they have proved doubters wrong, currently sitting eigh points clear at the top of the table with just ten games to go. But ex-City striker Aguero was one of the few that foresaw Arsenal's rapid rise to contenders.

Speaking to Stake.com last summer, the former Argentine international said: "As always, I believe that the Premier League will show this season that it is beginning to be one of the most competitive leagues in the world. And in this sense, my candidates are Manchester City, which I think can repeat, Liverpool, Chelsea and I add Arsenal, which has strengthened very well and has had great games in the pre-season.

"City's advantage is that it already has a team that knows what to do on the field and has added variants such as (Erling) Haaland and Julian Alvarez. It is true that they must adapt but Pep (Guardiola) has already said that great players do not need time to adapt. City have lost Sterling although Liverpool, who will be in the fight, have lost Mane but have brought in Darwin Nunez.

"Everything will be very even, as it has been happening, but we will have to be attentive to Arsenal's performance, which has put together a great project with the help of Arteta and I think that this year they will give people something to talk about."