Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has made the bold claim that Arsenal are challengers for the Premier League title this season.
Vieira is still remembered incredibly fondly in the red half of north London for his nine-year spell with the Gunners from 1996 to 2005, during which time the Frenchman lifted the Premier League on three separate occasions alongside four FA Cups. He can now be found in the dugout at Selhurst Park aiming to take this Eagles side as far up the table as possible.
Arsenal have enjoyed a stellar start to the new season with two wins from their opening two fixtures, the first of which came away at Vieira's Palace. The Gunners ran out 2-0 winners and showed the perfect blend of flare and resilience to make the short trip back across London with three points.
A header from Gabriel Martinelli followed by an own goal from Marc Guehi late on were enough to hand Arsenal the win, but it has been the efforts of new signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko that have seemingly transformed their fortunes.
Elsewhere, Palace picked up their first point of the new campaign away at Anfield after drawing 1-1 with Liverpool. Wilfried Zaha actually put the Eagles in front but Luis Diaz's equaliser just after the hour mark meant the honours ended even.
A game against Arsenal followed by a trip to Liverpool is hardly an easy start to the season, with Vieira claiming the Gunners are right up there as candidates for the title.
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"When you look at the number of points, of course playing against two teams who are fighting to win the Premier League, is always going to be challenging," Vieira explained.
"But I’m more interested in the performances and I think today we showed character, the personality, we showed a lot of discipline and that will help us to win football matches. Of course, the game against Arsenal especially in the second half was a good performance. I believe overall that we are on the right path."
While Arsenal toppled Palace, many were left surprised Liverpool couldn't do the same. Their inability to beat Vieira's side means the Reds sit 12th in the table, behind newly-promoted duo Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth who occupy 10th and 11th respectively.
Jurgen Klopp's side have already surrendered ground to long-time title rivals Manchester City and find themselves four points from the reigning champions. With a trip to Old Trafford up next, Liverpool could find themselves below Manchester United by this time next week.
