Former England defender Micah Richards has made a stunning declaration about Arsenal's quality, labelling Mikel Arteta's squad the 'best in Europe' ahead of a pivotal London derby against Chelsea this weekend.
‘Not Normal’ Set-Piece Prowess
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards expressed his awe at Arsenal's remarkable effectiveness from dead-ball situations. 'Their threat at set-pieces is not normal,' Richards stated. 'How can you get the delivery right every single time? It’s not normal. I don’t know how they’re doing it.'
The statistics powerfully back up his claim. This season, the Gunners have scored an impressive 11 goals from set-pieces, which is two more than any other Premier League side. Intriguingly, their next opponents, Chelsea, are second in this specific metric with nine goals, setting the stage for a fascinating tactical battle.
A Squad Built for Success
Richards went beyond praising a single facet of their game, emphasising the overall depth and quality of the entire playing group. He argued that while other teams might field a stronger starting eleven on paper, no club in Europe can match Arsenal's squad in its entirety.
'They’ve got a few injuries but they’re coping because they’ve got the best squad in Europe,' Richards explained. 'Maybe not the best XI when everyone is fit but in terms of the squad, it’s brilliant... They can make a few changes and the standard doesn’t drop, the squad is just amazing.'
He specifically highlighted the contributions of defensive reinforcements like Piero Hincapie and Cristian Mosquera, who have stepped up seamlessly, contrasting their impact with past seasons where injuries to key players would have caused a significant drop in performance.
Shearer Backs the Gunners' Strength
Richards is not alone in his assessment. Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer has echoed the sentiment, unequivocally stating that Arsenal possess the strongest squad in England's top flight.
'The only team that has been consistent has been Arsenal, whereas everyone else has been really up and down,' Shearer told Betfair. 'They’ve got the strongest squad there’s no doubt... Arsenal have been the standout team by an absolute mile at the minute. In every competition, basically, in the Champions League and in the league.'
This collective strength has propelled Arsenal to a sensational start to the 2025/26 campaign. They currently sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League and are the only team in the Champions League to have won all five of their opening group games, conceding just a single goal in the process. Their mid-week 3-1 victory over German champions Bayern Munich further cemented their status as a European force.
The title race has been influenced by the surprising struggles of others. Defending champions Liverpool are on their worst run since 1953, while Manchester City have already dropped points in five of their twelve league matches. Chelsea, however, represent a formidable challenge, having won five of their last six games and thrashed Barcelona in Europe.
All eyes will now be on Stamford Bridge this Sunday, where Arsenal's 'not normal' weapons and 'best in Europe' squad will face their latest and perhaps most significant test of the season so far.
