'Arsenal fans would have taken that' - Peter Crouch says Gunners exceeding expectations despite losing lead

Arsenal fans would have taken their current situation at the start of the season despite surrendering the Premier League lead, says Peter Crouch, but the ex-England striker thinks the Gunners don’t have the squad depth needed to win the title. Mikel Arteta’s side have enjoyed a superb domestic campaign so far but were caught by Manchester City in midweek when they lost 3-1 to their title rivals at the Emirates.

Ad Arsenal travel to Aston Villa in the early kick-off on Saturday on the back of a three-match winless run in the league that has seen them drop to second in the standings, behind City on goal difference. World CupExclusive: Lescott on why taking Maguire is right decision, talks 'back three' nuances16/11/2022 AT 09:13 But Crouch pointed out that the north London club have been exceeded expectations so far and shouldn’t be criticised too heavily for the drop-off… “If you look at them last season to where they are now, even discussing them as title contenders has been a huge turnaround in fortunes,” Crouch told BT Sport.

“People wanted Arteta out last year! We get carried away with half a season. Arsenal surpassed anyone’s aspirations for how they’ve achieved this season.

At the start of the season I think top four, Arsenal fans would have taken that. Liverpool pushing to land Mount amid contract stand-off — Paper Round Guardiola hits back at Carragher's Haaland 'wrong club' claim “Now they’re in a position where they’ve won so many games and been so good that it’s a disappointment if they’ve dropped off.