Patrick Vieira makes clear Arsenal Premier League title statement

Patrick Vieira believes Arsenal'ssummer transfer activity has "put the quality of the team on a different level" and maintains they are amongst only a handful of sides capable of clinching the Premier League crown.

Mikel Arteta's outfit moved to the top of the table ahead of the international break, thanks to back-to-back defeats for Liverpool. The Gunners have come runners-up in each of the last three campaigns, falling short of the title to Manchester City on two occasions and then to the Reds.

Every summer they have spent money to strengthen the squad, but this summer Arteta particularly went to town in the transfer market, securing some eye-catching additions. Viktor Gyokeres was brought in to spearhead the attack whilst Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze were recruited to enhance the front line.

• Mikel Arteta has made Martin Odegaard replacement promise as Arsenal deal with new injury
• Viktor Gyokeres suffers major blow as Arsenal striker handed nightmare scenario

Martin Zubimendi strengthened the engine room and their defensive unit was already considered amongst Europe's finest. Vieira acknowledges the Premier League remains fiercely competitive, but the Gunners' signings have provided them with their greatest chance to break their league title drought, reports the Mirror.

The former Arsenal captain told Sky Sports: "I don't know if it's a good year or not because the Premier League is really competitive. I think Arteta made a really strong statement by bringing those players in the summer. On the field, so far, they're doing really good games.

"I believe that Arsenal is a part of those few teams that can win the Premier League. I think you will have to count on Arsenal to be competitive and to be there to fight until the end because the players they managed to bring in will put the quality of the team on a different level."

Vieira was the final captain to lift the Premier League trophy for Arsenal, achieving this feat in 2004 following their Invincible campaign. There is now mounting expectation on Arteta to finally deliver silverware, with the Spaniard having made tremendous strides at the Emirates Stadium, yet lacking the trophies to demonstrate his success.

The FA Cup triumph in 2020 remains the most recent major silverware he secured at Arsenal, but Thierry Henry believes their squad depth represents a crucial advantage and recently stated they "have big chances to win stuff because the bench will change the game for you".

This has already been demonstrated through numerous occasions where Arteta's substitutions have altered the trajectory of matches, converting draws into victories or securing crucial late points, as witnessed against Manchester City.

Henry said: "Every single time someone comes off the bench and scores... if you you want to win, go far and deep in competitions, you need to have depth in your squad and guys that can do it when they come on. Don't see it as, 'I'm on the bench, I'm not starting', and start to cry about it. The group has to win, that's the most important thing."