Kylian Mbappé says he has 'high hopes' Arsenal could win Premier League, cites team core as key

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé said he has "high hopes" that Arsenal could claim the Premier League title this season, while also naming Liverpool and Manchester City among the favourites.

Mbappé made the comments in an interview with German newspaper Bild published on Sept. 7, saying Liverpool must be "mentioned first and foremost" for their appetite to keep winning, but that Arsenal's continuity could be decisive. "Of course, Liverpool has to be mentioned first and foremost, as they're determined to win one title after another," he said. "But I also have high hopes for Arsenal, because the core of the team has known each other for a long time, and that's a crucial factor in football."

Liverpool made a perfect start to the defence of their crown with three wins from three Premier League matches, taking a two-point lead over last season's title rivals Arsenal into the international break. Manchester City, who have won multiple English titles under Pep Guardiola and retain striker Erling Haaland, remained in Mbappé's assessment as an ever-present challenger. "And Manchester City is always at the forefront anyway, with Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland," he said. Asked for a definitive prediction, Mbappé added: "That's tough. Maybe Arsenal, maybe it will be their year. It would certainly be easier to say City or Liverpool."

Mbappé's remarks referenced last season's Champions League quarter-final meetings between Arsenal and Real Madrid, in which Arsenal won 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium and completed a 2-1 victory at the Bernabéu. The forward, who joined Real Madrid after a high-profile transfer, said he believes the Champions League remains open to several strong contenders. "I always say Real Madrid. But there are many good teams in Europe, a lot. We saw that last year was great with the new Champions League format. This year will be even better. It will be interesting to see who prevails in the end," he said.

Mbappé has not yet won the Champions League in his career. Paris Saint-Germain captured the trophy last season, after his departure from the French club. His comments underline how continuity within squads, recent form and the presence of influential managers and forwards rank among the factors he considers when assessing domestic and continental competitions.

The Premier League season had only just begun at the time of Mbappé's interview, with clubs still shaping squads and responding to early results. Liverpool's early run maintained the momentum that delivered them the title last campaign, while Arsenal's performance in Europe and domestically has led some observers to view them as legitimate challengers. Manchester City's recruitment and squad depth continue to make them contenders in any season.

Mbappé's assessments will be followed closely by fans and pundits given his experiences in top-level European competition and his direct encounters with Premier League clubs in the Champions League. The coming months of the domestic season and the group stages and knockouts of the Champions League will provide further evidence on which teams are capable of sustaining title bids at home and in Europe.