success in north London
Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell believes that Arne Slot is ‘lucky’ to have inherited this title-winning Liverpool squad. Slot succeeded Jurgen Klopp as Reds boss last year and won the Premier League title in his debut season at Anfield. By comparison, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has had to build his squad as the north London side look to pip the Reds to first this season
Slot turned Klopp’s Liverpool squad into champions
Slot succeeded Klopp at the Liverpool helm last summer after the German’s nine-year stint on Merseyside drew to a close. Klopp won his only Premier League title in the 2019/20 ‘Covid’ season, and the Dutchman matched his predecessor’s triumph in his first year at Anfield.
Liverpool made few changes to the Liverpool squad last year, with Federico Chiesa the only senior arrival in Slot’s first summer at the club. However, as Klopp’s Liverpool finished third in his final season in charge, Slot pipped both Manchester City and Arsenal to top spot in 2024/25.
The Reds have spent big this summer as they look to successfully defend their Premier League crown, bringing in the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. Campbell, though, is more impressed with Arteta’s Arsenal rebuild as the Gunners seek to secure a first domestic title in over 20 years.
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‘He hasn’t changed much. He’s lucky.’
The ex-Arsenal centre-back believes that Slot is ‘lucky’ to have inherited the squad the Klopp assembled, and has hinted he is more impressed by Arteta’s rebuild, saying: “I think slow is good sometimes. Some people are lucky. Arne Slot inherited a fantastic side and won the league. He hasn’t changed much. He’s lucky. A new manager, good bounce, players responded. Arteta had to get rid of some players, the deadwood.
“The last couple of years, he’s had pretty much the team. The centrepiece is the centre forward. Finally, they’ve got someone [Viktor Gyokeres, who joined from Sporting over the summer], but they’ve got to find out how to play him. But you have to build it.
“[William] Saliba wouldn’t have signed the contract [until 2030] as well if he didn’t believe Arsenal can win. They just have to win. This year they’ve got to win by hook or by crook – but you have work to get a lucky break.”
‘The belief is there They know they can do it’
Arsenal went into the international break top of the Premier League following their 2-0 win over West Ham and Liverpool’s late 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. Estevao’s second half injury time strike condemned the Reds to a third successive competitive defeat for the first time since 2023.
However, Campbell believes that the understanding in the Arsenal defence will be key as the Gunners look to top the Premier League pile next May, reserving praise for Jurrien Timber in the process.
On Timber, Campbell said: “I think Jurrien Timber is probably one of the best right backs in Europe at the moment. He’s incredible, can score goals, good in one-on-one scenarios. He’s definitely lost a little bit of time from his injury but he’s a top, top player.”
And on Arsenal’s defence, he added: “I think it comes down to the back five. They know what they’re doing now. They’re young, but it’s the maturity of their play now. The belief is there. They know they can do it.”
Arsenal have a favourable run coming up
Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table after seven games having collected 16 points so far. Victory over West Ham means they went into the international break ahead of Liverpool by a point after Slot’s side fell to back-to-back late league losses.
And the Gunners have a favourable run of games following the domestic hiatus as they take on Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland before the November internationals. Arteta’s men are also up against Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague in the Champions League and Brighton in the EFL Cup over the coming weeks as the north London side seek to secure major silverware this season.
To some, Arsenal are now favourites to win the Premier League and Champions League having invested heavily over the summer, landing the likes of Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze, among others.
