Former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has made a bold claim about Arsenal's defensive strength, stating the Premier League leaders have the four best full-backs in the country all within their squad.
Hargreaves' Verdict on Arsenal's Defensive Dominance
Speaking on Premier League Productions, Hargreaves heaped praise on Mikel Arteta's options, highlighting their physicality and depth as key factors in their title challenge. Arsenal currently sit five points clear of Manchester City after a 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday, December 5, 2025.
Despite facing injury concerns in central defence, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Cristhian Mosquera all sidelined, Hargreaves believes the Gunners' versatility sets them apart. He singled out Jurrien Timber as the standout performer, calling him "the best full-back in the Premier League this season."
Squad Depth The Key Difference
Hargreaves argued that Arsenal's current resources are a major upgrade on previous campaigns. "A couple of seasons ago, if [Bukayo] Saka or Declan [Rice] or [Martin] Odegaard are missing, Arsenal struggled," he said. "They're missing their two starting centre-backs, Timber can pop in there and Ben White can play."
He praised Ben White's "terrific" display against Brentford and noted how Riccardo Calafiori's form has limited Myles Lewis-Skelly's appearances. This wealth of choice, according to Hargreaves, extends beyond defence. He also lauded the contributions of Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, and the impending return of Kai Havertz to partner Viktor Gyokeres.
"I think Mikel has got all the ingredients for the recipe to go and win the Premier League this year, maybe even the Champions League," Hargreaves concluded, emphasising the team's ability to compete in every phase of the game.
Confidence Despite Injury Crisis
When questioned about Arsenal's potential struggles at centre-back for their upcoming match against Aston Villa, Hargreaves expressed confidence in Arteta's solutions. He suggested Timber could fill in, praising his strength and personality, while also reiterating Ben White's capability to play centrally.
"They've got all these options," Hargreaves stated. "I think Mikel so far has done a brilliant job of picking what they need in the game. I think Mikel will be quietly confident wherever they go with what they have at the moment."
The only worry Hargreaves identified was a potential injury to the ever-present Declan Rice, but overall, his analysis paints a picture of a squad built to end Arsenal's long wait for Premier League glory.
