Liverpool Star ‘Would Have Won’ Arsenal the PL After ‘Wrong Signing’ as Wenger Makes Title Prediction

Arsene Wenger backs Arsenal for the title as Joe Cole claims Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike would have won them the league over "wrong signing" Viktor Gyokeres.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 6:35 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

The Strategic Regret of the Number Nine

The race for the Premier League title has shifted into a psychological battle following Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad. Former England international Joe Cole suggested that Arsenal’s recruitment strategy last summer may be the decisive factor if they fail to secure the trophy. Cole noted that while Viktor Gyokeres arrived with significant expectations in a £250 million overhaul, he has struggled to cement his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup for the biggest games. The pundit argued that Hugo Ekitike, who has enjoyed a prolific debut season at Anfield, was the "proper player" Arsenal truly needed to transition from challengers to champions. According to Cole, the presence of a natural clinical finisher like Ekitike would have likely seen the Gunners end their title drought weeks ago.

A Legendary Vote of Confidence

Despite the mounting pressure and a looming fixture against Burnley that could see City take the top spot, Arsene Wenger remains steadfast in his belief that Arsenal will prevail. Speaking at an Abbey Road Studios fund-raiser for the ProjectTwinning charity, the Frenchman described an Arsenal title win as "common sense." Wenger highlighted the attacking intent displayed by Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Eberechi Eze, asserting that the North London side possesses the depth to navigate the final five matches. He predicted that Pep Guardiola’s side would not manage a "perfect run-in," offering a vital psychological boost to a fanbase reeling from back-to-back league defeats.

The Mixed Legacy of the Gyokeres Era

Viktor Gyokeres has faced intense scrutiny regarding his suitability for Arteta’s tactical system during his maiden campaign in N5. While the Swedish striker has netted 18 goals across all competitions, his exclusion from the starting XI at the Etihad in favor of Kai Havertz raised questions about his manager's trust in high-pressure scenarios. Joe Cole argued that at top clubs, rotation is expected, but the "best XI" should be obvious when the season is on the line. Cole suggested that while Gyokeres may need another year to fully adapt to the Premier League's physical demands, the immediate impact of Ekitike at Liverpool—who has scored 17 goals before a recent injury—serves as a painful "what if" for the Arsenal hierarchy.