Kieran Tierney has responded to calling title contenders and singled out ‘amazing’ team-mate William Saliba for praise.
The Gunners crumbled towards the end of last season to finish fifth below north London rivals Tottenham and miss out on the .
But Arsenal have enjoyed a brilliant start to the current campaign following a productive summer transfer window, only failing to win one of their 11 games in all competitions.
Arsenal’s scintillating form has seen Mikel Arteta’s side emerge as the early pace-setters in the English top-flight, with defending champions one point behind the Gunners in second.
Earlier this month, Wenger claimed Arsenal were the second best team in England and backed his former club to challenge for the Premier League title.
‘Personally I would put them just behind City,’ Wenger said on beIN SPORTS. ‘Arsenal are the second best team to have a good chance to win the Premier League because Man City at some stage will focus highly on the Champions League.’
Asked if he felt this season would be Arsenal’s best chance to challenge, Wenger added: ‘I think so. We don’t know about Liverpool, they are already a lot of points behind.
‘And Chelsea as well do not look consistent at the moment. They have not found the confidence to contend to win the league.’
Tierney smiled when asked about Wenger’s comments, before saying: ‘Well, he obviously knows an awful lot about football!
‘But it’s early doors. The aim for everyone here is to finish as high as possible. But we won’t get too carried away and we’ll take it game by game.
‘The connection with the fans is the best it’s been since I came here. We know we’re playing well so hopefully we can keep it up.’
One of Arsenal’s key players this season has been French defender Saliba, who has started all nine of his side’s Premier League games.
Saliba spent his first two seasons at the Emirates out on loan but returned over the summer and has successfully forced his way into Arteta’s plans.
‘I think he’s done amazing,’ Tierney added to . ‘I’m genuinely so happy because he’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
‘He found it a bit tough when he first came here, he was young and had to go on loan a few times.
‘But it just shows the character that he can come back and fit straight into the team and look like he’s been part of the side for two or three years.
‘All credit to him because he’s an amazing player and an amazing guy, he deserves every bit of good that comes to him.’
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