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Kylian Mbappé’s bold bet: Arsenal to finally break the curse?
Kylian Mbappé has never been one to take the easy route, whether it’s sprinting past defenders at supersonic speed or dropping predictions spicier than a last-minute El Clásico red card. This season, the Real Madrid superstar isn’t talking about La Liga dominance or his glittering new adventure at the Bernabéu. Instead, he’s raising eyebrows by tipping Arsenal to finally end their 22-year Premier League title drought. Yes, Mbappé genuinely thinks it might be the Gunners’ year, and no, he’s not joking (well, maybe a little).
Liverpool remain the bookies’ darlings, Manchester City are lurking like the final boss in a video game, but Mbappé believes Arsenal’s blend of experience, youthful energy, and squad cohesion could be the not-so-secret weapon. After three straight seasons of ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride,’ Arsenal are beyond desperate for that elusive wedding ring.
Mbappé knows their threat all too well, he watched them dismantle his own Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League quarter-final. For someone who hates losing, he masks the sting with a grin. And with Mikel Arteta splashing over £250 million this summer, Mbappé cheekily quips: ‘Maybe Arsenal. Maybe this is finally their year. But of course, it would be too boring to just say Liverpool or City,’
Liverpool - The team Mbappé respects (But wouldn’t want to play next week)
Liverpool have started the Premier league 2025/26 campaign like an unstoppable train, racking up three wins from three, including a knife-edge 1–0 victory over Arsenal. Jürgen Klopp’s Reds remain the gold standard of English football, with pressing so intense it could probably power half of Merseyside’s electricity grid. Mbappé admits: ‘Of course, Liverpool must be mentioned first, they just don’t stop winning trophies,’
Already two points clear, Liverpool’s position is like finding free parking on Oxford Street: rare, valuable, and annoyingly efficient. Veterans like Salah, Van Dijk and Alisson combine with rising stars like Szoboszlai, Elliott and Quansah to form a unit built to survive injuries, suspensions, and the occasional VAR meltdown.
Upcoming matches against Burnley, Palace, West Ham and Everton should be ‘routine,’ but Klopp’s Liverpool treat routine like war. And Mbappé knows they’re the one English club who might, just might, keep up with him in a footrace. Almost.
Manchester City - Crisis? Or just Pep’s secret plan?
Manchester City sit 13th after two early defeats. For most teams, that’s a crisis. For Pep Guardiola’s City, it feels more like the calm before an inevitable storm. With Guardiola scheming like a chess grandmaster and Erling Haaland scoring as if he’s unlocked ‘God Mode,’ Mbappé refuses to count them out: ‘Manchester City is always at the forefront anyway, with Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland,’
Those slip-ups against Wolves, Spurs and Brighton? Probably just a bored gamer putting the controller down for a few minutes. This squad is ludicrously deep; Pep could field two different elevens and still terrify half of Europe. The fireworks will really crackle when they meet Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United. If Arsenal are dreamers and Liverpool are warriors, then City are the cold, calculating machines that quietly grind their way to five consecutive titles. Mbappé thrives on chaos, but even he knows Pep’s order usually wins.
Arsenal - Mbappé's plot twist nobody saw coming
Here’s where Mbappé rips up the script. Arsenal, the nearly-men of recent seasons, are now his surprise tip for glory. Arteta’s spending spree brought in Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Martín Zubimendi and Piero Hincapié, but Mbappé’s faith isn’t in the shiny new arrivals. It’s in the spine: Saliba, Rice, Saka, Ødegaard. These are the players he calls the glue of Arsenal’s revival.
And don’t forget, Arsenal humiliated Mbappé’s Real Madrid 5–1 on aggregate last year in Europe. If you’re wondering why he gives them respect, that night told the story. For him, this isn’t a romantic underdog pick; it’s a cold-eyed prediction. Arsenal’s Champions League swagger, their hunger after years of near-misses, and their balance of youthful zest with leadership experience all scream ‘this could be it.’ Against Nottingham Forest, they’ll look to bounce back from their loss at Anfield. And Mbappé’s prediction, while cheeky, carries real weight: Arsenal could finally flip the script.
Chelsea, United & the others – pretenders at the feast?
Chelsea may have added the Club World Cup to the cabinet, but Mbappé knows you don’t win league titles by globetrotting. Between transitional chaos, managerial tinkering, and a squad still learning each other’s first names, the Blues are more puzzle than powerhouse.
Manchester United? The aura of Ferguson’s legacy still hovers, but consistency is harder to find than Mbappé in a game of hide-and-seek. Spurs, Newcastle, Everton? Dangerous in flashes, but lacking the depth to go the distance in a 38-game gauntlet.
Mbappé’s nod to Arsenal underlines his point: continuity beats chaos. You can’t just throw expensive signings together and hope. Cohesion, tactical clarity and squad unity, that’s the secret sauce. Arsenal seem to have it. Chelsea and United are still fumbling for the recipe.
Mbappé’s European crystal ball – Spoiler: Madrid again
But when the conversation shifts to Europe, Mbappé plays it safe. He doesn’t hedge: ‘I always say Real Madrid.’ And why wouldn’t he? Los Blancos are already cruising under Xabi Alonso and he clearly intends to keep them on the throne. He even tossed out picks across the continent, Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga (yawn), PSG for Ligue 1 (of course) and Dortmund and Leipzig to play the pesky challengers.
Mbappé speaks from experience here. He’s lived Ligue 1 dominance, survived PSG heartbreak, carried Monaco on his back, and now leads Real Madrid’s next dynasty. With the World Cup on the horizon, this isn’t just another season for him, it’s his stage to cement football immortality.
So, is Kylian Mbappé serious about Arsenal? Or is he just stirring the pot like he stirs defences on a Saturday night? That’s the fun part, nobody knows. What’s clear is that he’s sparked the debate, added spice to a title race already bursting with narratives, and done it all with that trademark grin.
Liverpool look unstoppable, City are inevitable, Arsenal are hopeful, Chelsea are chaotic and United are nostalgic. But Mbappé’s words stick: “Maybe Arsenal.” And when he says it, you can’t help but think… maybe.
Also READ: The real truth or just trolling? Why Mo Salah crowns Arsenal as 2025/26 Premier League favourites
Frequently Asked Questions
He believes Arsenal’s strong squad spine, Saliba, Rice, Saka, Ødegaard, plus their Champions League confidence and Arteta’s leadership, give them a real shot at finally ending their 22-year title drought.
He acknowledges Liverpool as the toughest contenders, praising their relentless pressing and consistency under Klopp. He admits they’re “always winning trophies” and could easily dominate again.
Despite City’s shaky start, he insists they remain dangerous under Pep Guardiola, with Erling Haaland’s firepower making them “always at the forefront.” He sees their slow start as temporary.
Arsenal dismantled his Real Madrid 5–1 in last year’s Champions League, leaving a deep impression. He respects their balance of youth and experience, calling them a cohesive, dangerous side.
He tips Real Madrid to remain dominant in Europe, while picking Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga, PSG for Ligue 1, and Dortmund/Leipzig as challengers. For him, Madrid’s supremacy is non-negotiable.
