Tom Cairney explains why Arsenal are the team to beat in Premier League title race
Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney believes Arsenal are favourites to retain the Premier League title, praising their remarkable squad depth, physical strength and tactical versatility. The 35-year-old has experienced the difficulty of facing Arsenal firsthand and believes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has assembled a team capable of overcoming opponents in several different ways.
I mean they can out-football you or they can beat you up, Cairney said during a recentinterviewwith Marc White Fixes Football. He argued that Arsenal's ability to combine technical quality with physical dominance makes them particularly difficult to contain.
Cairney was equally impressed by the champions' strength in depth, suggesting that several players currently outside the starting XI would command regular places elsewhere. "Right now it's theirs to lose in my opinion just cuz their bench is so strong as well," he added.
His assessment reflects the progress Arsenal have made in building a squad capable of competing across multiple competitions. The Gunners ended their 22-year Premier League title drought last season and have continued demonstrating the qualities required to challenge for major honours.
Cairney also highlighted Arsenal's defensive organisation, explaining that opponents frequently struggle to create shooting opportunities against Arteta's disciplined system. He singled out Eberechi Eze's defensive work rate, admitting that the midfielder's intensity surprised him after his move from Crystal Palace.
The Fulham captain was particularly struck by Jurrien Timber's physical strength during their previous encounter. "It's like a fridge freezer, mate," Cairney said, recalling how the Dutch defender brushed him aside inside the penalty area.
He also praised the imposing presence of Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice. Arsenal's set-piece delivery received similar recognition, with Cairney describing its accuracy as "elite".
However, the most significant aspect of his assessment concerned Arsenal's continuity compared with their title rivals. Manchester City and Liverpool have undergone managerial changes, while Manchester United are still seeking greater consistency.
Arteta, meanwhile, has retained the core of a squad that already understands his tactical demands. That stability could prove valuable throughout another demanding title race, particularly when injuries and fixture congestion begin testing squad resources.