Jurgen Klopp has revealed what he honestly thinks of Arsenal right now amid Liverpool struggles
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed his thoughts on the current Arsenal squad.
The Gunners have moved ahead of the Merseysiders in the Premier League table in recent weeks, closing a five-point gap to now sit four points clear of Arne Slot’s side.
Andrea Berta spent £250m in the summer transfer window to ensure Mikel Arteta’s set had the depth required to compete on multiple fronts, and that approach appears to be working so far.
The north Londoners have a host of different options at every position on the pitch, and the Spanish manager has used these options well so far by rotating effectively.
Jurgen Klopp says Arsenal have an ‘incredible squad’
Liverpool signed Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, among others, this summer.
The additions prompted many to claim the north-west side had ‘won the transfer window’ and would be heading for the Premier League title.
However, Isak and Wirtz are yet to settle into Slot’s squad, while the Reds’ recruitment in the wing areas certainly does not appear to have been smart given the performances of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez so far.
Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres is struggling for Arsenal, but the vast majority of the Gunners’ other signings have settled in well.
Arteta’s side look like the most accomplished side in England’s top flight, and even former Liverpool boss Klopp admitted the north Londoners have an “incredible squad”.
“So Liverpool have an incredible team,” the German said on the Diary of a CEO podcast.
“Yes, are they 100% happy at the moment with the defeats? No, probably not, but an incredible team.
“Arsenal, an incredible team. City, I mean, they want to fight back, so there are three clubs already. Chelsea, at that time when everyone was wondering, do they have an overview of their transfer market?”
Arsenal’s deep approach will prove to be the right approach
Arsenal suffered from incessant injury problems last season.
Berta’s response to this has been to provide Arteta with an extremely strong squad that is protected from collapse following a handful of fitness issues.
So far this season, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard have all been injured, but the Gunners have managed to pull through.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have opted for fewer signings, but for players with higher potential. If all goes well, the Merseysiders could be a scary team, but their squad is far more likely to drop in standard due to a lack of depth in certain areas.
Slot’s centre-back cohort is threadbare, while he has few attacking options, particularly in the wide areas. If Mo Salah doesn’t return to form or Cody Gakpo gets injured, then they’re suddenly in trouble.
Arsenal do not have this problem, and given that their floor is already very high due to their defensive solidity, their deep approach should pay off during the season.