Jermaine Pennant thinks Arsenal were ‘very lucky’ to secure a 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday at Villa Park.
The game was ultimately won by goals from substitute Leandro Trossard and midfielder Thomas Partey in the second half.
Aston Villa missed two huge chances through Ollie Watkins in the first and second half and they were then duly punished for their lack of ruthless nature.
Arsenal lost home and away to Villa last season, so that was a huge talking point heading into the match and how it was probably already must-win for Mikel Arteta.
They have a very difficult opening three away matches to start the campaign – Villa Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and then the Etihad.
That will test the credentials of this team because if they claim maximum points then it will seriously boost their title chances even if it’s still very early in the campaign.
But Pennant has raised doubts about some Arsenal players and if they are good enough to push the team over the line.
Arsenal lost the Premier League title narrowly last season, but they still had another record-breaking season in front of goal and had the best defence in the league (29 conceded).
The team’s defence isn’t the issue for Pennant, but what they have in the final third and how they ‘need a number nine’.
The former Arsenal academy product doesn’t think Kai Havertz is good enough to lead the line and win the title, as he also put Gabriel Jesus in that boat.
Arsenal’s lack of bench strength was also spoken about, even though Trossard came off the bench to score a very crucial opening goal against Villa.
But once again, Pennant doesn’t think the Belgium international can continue that run of scoring from the bench time and time again, as he told talkSPORT.
Arsenal’s ‘very lucky’ win at Aston Villa
“Absolutely, (Arsenal have got lucky), hence the way Arsenal fans are cheering and celebrating after the game,” said Pennant. “The chances Arsenal fans would have seen fallen to Ollie Watkins. They are very lucky to go away with three points.
“I am changing my opinion. I think at the start I thought Arsenal were going to be the favourites, but I have changed my mind and say they aren’t going to be favourites. Jesus is injured. I am looking at the depth. Who have they got? If you look at the top teams, they have got strength in depth. That’s something Arsenal haven’t really got.
“Yes, they brought on Trossard for him to ultimately win them the game, but you look at their strikers. Havertz, is he a striker that’s going to win you the Premier League? They need a number nine to win the Premier League. With this squad right now, I don’t think they will be able to topple Manchester City. Trossard isn’t going to come off the bench and score every single time. Jesus isn’t a guy who is going to get you 15-20+ goals a season. He isn’t a goalscorer anymore.”
Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossrd and Gabriel Jesus
Havertz was dubbed a flop before joining Arsenal and despite scoring 13 Premier League goals and supplying seven assists last term, those critics still keep talking.
Arsenal have everything they need to win the title, it’s just now about winning those extra matches because you need 90+ points to win the league.
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Villa home and away. West Ham at home. Games against Fulham were the issue and they have got over one tricky line at Villa Park.
Riccardo Calafiori made his Arsenal debut against Villa and he is someone who will further strengthen their defence and prove that it’s the defence that wins you titles, not the attack.
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