Arsenal are looking to return to winning ways when they host Manchester United on Sunday in the last Premier League game before the international break.
They were held to a 2-2 draw last time out and will be desperate to head into the break with a victory.
Jamie Carragher expects them to pick up all three points against the Red Devils, and he believes they are the closest challengers Manchester City can get this season.
“Arsenal have improved their squad over the summer,” the Sky Sports pundit wrote in the Telegraph.
“Declan Rice is an excellent addition who has already impressed. Losing Jurrien Timber to serious injury is terrible luck for the player and club. Kai Havertz has endured a difficult start, and in tweaking the formation to accommodate him before Gabriel Jesus is fully fit something has been lost.
“Yet the foundations are there with the quality and age profile of the squad. As things stand, Arsenal look as well equipped as any side to push City all the way again.
“With a win this weekend – and I believe they are much superior to Manchester United – they will have collected ten from a possible 12 points. In any season, that represents a good start.”
Man City are top of the league having won all their opening three games, and Arsenal do not want to find themselves further behind in the title race.
It is still early days, but every result counts, and the Gunners need to make a statement of intent by winning in style against Man United.
However, victory against the Red Devils will not come easy as they have also secured two wins so far this term.
They left it late to grab all three points in their 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their first game of the season and came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Nottingham Forest last weekend, so the Gunners cannot afford to be below par against them.
Man United were exposed in their 2-0 loss away at Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would have studied the tape and others to see how to exploit their weakness.
Both clubs could get some deals done between now and the transfer deadline tonight, which could have an effect on their performances on Sunday.
