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\n\t\tMicah Richards heaped praise on Premier League leaders Arsenal (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tMicah Richards heaped praise on Premier League leaders Arsenal (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
Micah Richards<\/a> claims Arsenal<\/a> have the \u2018best squad in Europe\u2019 and says Mikel Arteta<\/a>\u2019s most potent weapon is \u2018not normal\u2019.<\/p>\n The Gunners have enjoyed a sensational first-half to the season and sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League<\/a> ahead of Sunday\u2019s trip to Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arteta\u2019s side have lost just once all season \u2013 ironically to floundering defending champions Liverpool<\/a> \u2013 but will have their cushion cut to three points if second-placed Chelsea win at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n Arsenal have been equally impressed in Europe and maintained their perfect start to the Champions League<\/a> on Wednesday night with a 3-1 win over German champions Bayern Munich<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Gunners are the only team in the Champions League to win their opening five games and have remarkably conceded just one goal so far.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tYour ultimate guide to the football season\t\t\t<\/p>\n Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday \u2013 sign up<\/a>, it’s an open goal.<\/p>\n Richards was hugely impressed by Arsenal\u2019s victory over Bayern Munich \u2013 who tasted defeat for the first time this season \u2013 and declared Arteta\u2019s squad at the Emirates Stadium as the \u2018best in Europe\u2019.<\/p>\n The former England defender also said Arsenal\u2019s threat from set-pieces is \u2018not normal\u2019.<\/p>\n \t\t Arsenal have scored 11 goals via set-pieces this season, two more than any other side, with their next opponents Chelsea second on nine.<\/p>\n Analysing Arsenal\u2019s form on The Rest is Football podcast<\/a>, Richards said: \u2018How good are Arsenal, by the way?<\/p>\n \u2018Their threat at set-pieces is not normal, how can you get the delivery right every single time?\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0not normal. I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0know how\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0doing it.<\/p>\n To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web \u2018They\u2019ve\u00a0got a few injuries but\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0coping because\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0got the best squad in Europe.\u00a0Maybe not\u00a0the best XI when everyone is fit but in terms of the squad, it\u2019s\u00a0brilliant.<\/p>\n \u2018They look special this season.\u00a0A couple of seasons ago Rob Holding came in for a big game and he\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0great. But now\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0got [Piero] Hincapie and [Cristian] Mosquera who are both doing ever so well.<\/p>\n \u2018The squad is just ridiculous and so powerful.\u00a0They can make a few changes and the standard\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0drop, the squad is\u00a0just amazing.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer echoed Richards\u2019 comments by declaring Arsenal\u2019s squad \u2018undoubtedly\u2019 the best in the Premier League.<\/p>\n \u2018The only team that has been consistent has been Arsenal, whereas everyone else has been really up and down,\u2019 Shearer told Betfair<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018They\u2019ve got the strongest squad there\u2019s no doubt, and they\u2019ve had injuries, but you wouldn\u2019t have thought that, because of the quality of players that come in.<\/p>\n To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web \u2018I mean, Madueke\u2019s been out, he comes back at the weekend, and then scores mid-week. That\u2019s the sign that they\u2019ve got a really strong squad.<\/p>\n \u2018They will believe that they can win it [the Premier League], and they\u2019ll also say that there\u2019s still such a long way to go, and that\u2019s what they have to say.<\/p>\n \u2018But Arsenal have been the standout team by an absolute mile at the minute. In every competition, basically, in the Champions League and in the league.\u2019<\/p>\n Arsenal\u2019s hopes of a first Premier League title since 2004 have been boosted by a shocking dip from defending champions Liverpool.<\/p>\n Arne Slot\u2019s side suffered a 4-1 defeat to PSV during the week<\/a> and have now lose nine of their last 12 games \u2013 the club\u2019s worst run since 1953.<\/p>\n Manchester City have also shown a fragility that threatens to blow their title challenge, dropping points in five of their 12 league games so far<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arsenal\u2019s upcoming opponents Chelsea look set to mount a genuine title challenge, however, winning five of their last six games and thumping Barcelona in the Champions League<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Arsenal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2248692614.jpg\")
\n\t\tArsenal celebrate after scoring against Bayern Munich (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tChelsea beat Barcelona last time out (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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