Patrick Vieira says Arsenal are in an excellent position to end their long wait for the Premier League trophy after making a ‘really strong statement’ in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal have finished as runners-up in each of the previous three seasons under Mikel Arteta, with Liverpool storming to the title last term following back-to-back wins for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

But the Gunners ensured they entered this month’s international break with a one-point lead over the champions, Liverpool, who have encountered their first major bump since Arne Slot took over the reins from Jurgen Klopp.

This weekend, Mikel Arteta’s men will look to pick up where they left off when they return to top-flight action away to a Fulham side badly struggling for confidence after two defeats on the spin.

Two of Arsenal’s more established names, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, were on target as the north Londoners edged out West Ham in a 2-0 victory last time out at the Emirates.

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