'Maybe it will be their year' - Kylian Mbappe makes Premier League title prediction as Real Madrid superstar avoids ‘easier’ choice

The Gunners have recorded three second-placed finishes in a row, losing out to Manchester City twice and Liverpool, and will be determined to get over the line this season. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will take heart from Mbappe's endorsement, but, having spent just north of £250 million ($338m) on incomings this summer, knows he must produce a stronger fight for the title than last campaign. Arsenal's title push was dented by a wonder strike by Dominik Szoboszlai against Liverpool last weekend, yet Mbappe still feels they are best equipped to become champions for the first time in 22 years.

Asked by Bild who would win the Premier League, Mbappe said: "Of course, Liverpool has to be mentioned first and foremost, as they're determined to win one title after another. But I also have high hopes for Arsenal, because the core of the team has known each other for a long time, and that's a crucial factor in football. And Manchester City is always at the forefront anyway, with Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland.

"Maybe Arsenal, maybe it will be their year. It would certainly be easier to say City or Liverpool."

Mbappe was on the losing end of both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal in April and saw the threat of the Gunners up close. The Frenchman was shackled by William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior across the 180 minutes, unable to produce his usual magic. Arteta's side blitzed Los Blancos 3-0 at the Emirates before leaving the Bernabeu with a relatively straight-forward 2-1 victory - winning 5-1 on aggregate. The Gunners would go on to lose to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final, but Arteta has maintained, and strengthened, the same core of players that oversaw their victory over Mbappe's side and the French striker sees them ending their major trophy hoodoo this season.

The Gunners return to Premier League action next weekend and will be desperate to bounce back from their disappointment at Anfield with a statement victory over Nottingham Forest. Arsenal then travel to Athletic Club to kick off their Champions League campaign the next Tuesday.