Arsenal can 'out-Stoke teams' but have mark of champions, says Joe Cole as Gunners aim to end 22-year wait for Premier League title
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By Ben Grounds
Published 05/03/2026 at 21:27 GMT
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Joe Cole says the title is firmly in Arsenal's hands and has defended Mikel Arteta's tactics, claiming they have shown qualities that previously deserted them. After moving seven points clear at the top of the Premier League courtesy of a hard-fought win at Brighton, Cole believes The Gunners have shown they can even "out-Stoke teams" in their bid to claim their first league title in 22 years.
How Arsenal are 'out-Stokeing' teams in Premier League title charge
Video credit: TNT Sports
Joe Cole believes the title is firmly in Arsenal's hands and has defended Mikel Arteta's tactics, claiming The Gunners have shown the required backbone to mount a sustained assault on a first Premier League crown since 2004.
Mikel Arteta's side moved seven points clear at the summit on Wednesday after Bukayo Saka's deflected winner in a 1-0 win at Brighton, coupled with Manchester City dropping points in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking before Tottenham's crunch encounter with Crystal Palace on Thursday night - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - former Chelsea and England midfielder Cole believes Arsenal have shown all the qualities required to be crowned champions for the first time in 22 years.
Arsenal's approach to games has come under fire recently, with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler accusing Arteta's side of "making their own rules" following The Gunners' 1-0 win on Wednesday.
Hurzeler also claimed that rule changes are needed to combat what he felt were deliberate delays to the game from the north London side.
"They're showing championship form," Cole told TNT Sports. "Bukayo Saka has come under a little bit of fire [before Wednesday night], which I can't understand. I think he's a top player, he gets a bit of luck [with his goal].
"But they were resilient [against Brighton], they were strong, and they got the job done.
"Everything you'd label [as being the signs of] champions, they're delivering, and Manchester City are just struggling just to hang on in there."
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Highlights: Saka strike sends Gunners seven clear
Video credit: TNT Sports
Peter Crouch added: "I don't think the Brighton manager [Fabian Hurzeler] was too pleased with the way they played. But, they're winning games, right?
"I played for some uneasy-on-the eye teams, I have to say, but if you get the job done, it winds people up."
When asked by presenter Becky Ives if it is a case now for Arsenal of 'win whichever way you can', Cole continued: "Absolutely. You don't win titles, at any level... in any shape of football, without winning some games which maybe you have to roll your sleeves up, maybe you're not quite flowing.
"I'm thinking of the Arsenal teams in the previous two decades, since the great sides, they've been accused of being a team that would roll over.
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Hurzeler: Premier League needs to 'find rule' to stamp out 'time-wasting'
Video credit: TNT Sports
"They'd go to Crouchy's Stoke or somewhere like that [and lose]. But not this team, and they're miles away from that now.
"They are 'out-Stokeing' teams when they need to. Then they're outplaying them. I think they're a top, top side.
"I've always backed them for the title. I think it's in their hands."
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Arsenal now travel to face League One opposition in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - with Mansfield Town standing in the way of their quest for an unprecedented quadruple.
Arteta is likely to rotate his squad after another bruising Premier League encounter, with Declan Rice passed fit to start against Brighton despite hobbling off in the 2-1 win over Chelsea.
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
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