Arsenal forward makes bold title claims after win over PSG

• Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka believes this could be the year Arsenal ends its Premier League title drought
• Arsenal have finished runners-up to Manchester City for the past two seasons
• The Gunners will face winless Southampton in their next Premier League match

Bukayo Saka believes this could finally be Arsenal's year, following a commanding 2-0 Champions League triumph over Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates.

Saka who captained the side doubled Arsenal’s lead just 10 minutes before halftime as his goal came after Kai Havertz had headed in the opener. 

Arsenal’s Champions League victory came just three days after a dramatic stoppage-time win over Leicester, bringing them level on points with Manchester City and keeping them one point behind league leaders Liverpool. Arsenal, having finished as Premier League runners-up to City for the past two seasons, now seem confident to end their long title drought.

When asked if Arsenal were ready to deliver their first league title since 2004, Saka replied on CBS, 

“I don't want to put too much pressure on us, but I do think this is the year. We have been close for the past two years, and we are getting closer, but, yes, hopefully, this will be the year.”

Saka, reflecting on the near misses of previous seasons, stated his desire for victory this season. 

“There is a lot of hunger in my belly. In previous years we have finished runners-up, but that spirit in me is that I want to win this season, and I believe in myself a lot,” he asserted.

After a lacklustre goalless draw against Atalanta in their opening Champions League match, Arsenal sent a strong message to their European competition with this dominant win over PSG. The Gunners rarely looked in doubt throughout the match, controlling the game from start to finish.

“When I was speaking with the boys in the team talk before the game, I made sure that I said, today we need to make a big statement. When we have played in Europe against the big teams, we haven't always shown our full qualities and our usual standards, but we showed that at home,” Coach Arteta stated impressively.

Arsenal’s victory now places them eighth in the revamped Champions League table. Under the new format, the top eight teams qualify automatically for the knockout stages, while clubs finishing between ninth and 24th must contest a two-legged playoff.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, however, urged caution, saying, 

“It's too early [to look at the table]. Everyone has to play a lot of different and difficult games, home and away, and we have to adapt to that. We still don't know how many points we need. The only thing you can focus on is the performance.”

With Arteta now focused on their Premier League campaign, the Gunners face Southampton on Saturday. The Saints remain winless this season, but Arsenal will be wary as they continue their push for silverware.

Transfer round-up: Issues surrounding Arsenal’s new signing, Riccardo Calafiori

Previously, TheRadar reported that Premier League side Arsenal FC were not the only club in the race for the versatile defender, other European giants like Juventus, Real Madrid and the Premier League side, Chelsea were also in contact with the player’s representative. 

The 22-year-old was, however, more convinced with Mikel Arteta’s project. Arsenal fans have been well over the moon following the announcement of their latest signing.