Arsenal's Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain was a dominant one where the Gunners took care of business with a 2-0 victory despite only taking six shots. Mikel Arteta's defense limited PSG to an xG of only 0.39 and moments from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were enough to secure the victory despite facing a top European side. Putting that alongside drawing Manchester City and a 94th-minute winner against Leicester City, and it's a moment that will help inspire confidence in Arsenal's chances not only for the Champions League but also the Premeir League title challenge.
So much so that Saka thinks "this is the year."
"I don't want to put too much pressure on us but I do think that this is the year [that we can win the title]," Saka said to CBS Sports following the match. "I think we've been close the last two years and we're getting closer but this hopefully will be the year."
It's quite a statement from Saka but after scoring Arsenal's first direct free kick goal in Champions League play since Thierry Henry did it in 2002 and with a strong start to the season, it makes sense why Saka would feel confident. The English winger has two goals and five assists in all competitions so far and has picked up the creativity since Martin Odegaard went down with an injury to keep Arsenal's attack moving forward.
Coming through the academy, Saka fights for the badge but it has to hurt to have come up two points short of City last season after watching the title slip out of their grasp in the 2022-23 season. With City superstar Rodri being out for the season, it feels like a shift in belief that someone else can win the Premier League title and Arsenal are saying, "Why not us?"
It'll take more than just belief to win a title but that's where Saka's play and Arsenal's defense come into play. After Liverpool, the Gunners have allowed the second fewest goals of any Premeir League team while scoring the third most goals. That'll lead to plenty of wins over the course of the season and who knows, maybe there is a title in Arsenal's future.
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