Arsenal will win the 2022-23 Premier League title thanks to the World Cup in Qatar, believes former Gunners defender William Gallas.
The Gunners are top of the table having won 12 of their 14 games and are five points clear of Manchester City, with the season now on pause for the World Cup.
The Premier League returns on Boxing Day with Arsenal hosting West Ham at the Emirates.
After a flurry of summer signings Mikel Arteta’s side look a different beast this term – having missed out on Champions League qualification last season – with a late collapse handing fourth spot to north London rivals Tottenham.
They still face a massive test to beat Pep Guardiola’s champions to the title, who have lifted four of the last five Premier League trophies.
In January, Arsenal face third-placed Tottenham and fourth-placed Spurs but Gallas is backing his former side to come back from the World Cup even stronger.
‘I think the World Cup can help Arsenal win the title,’ Gallas, who made 142 appearances for the Gunners, told Genting Casino.
‘If you compare Arsenal and Manchester City, Arsenal have ten players that are going to the World Cup and of those ten players, maybe four of them will start for their international teams.
‘Manchester City have sixteen players going – practically all of their first team will be there – and nine or ten of those will start every game for their country.
‘For me, Arsenal has more of a chance to win the Premier League because nobody knows how the players will feel after the World Cup.
‘They are going to Qatar, where it is very hot and will be coming back to the freezing cold in England!
‘Seriously, it will be hard for them to adjust and there is not any time for them to recharge their batteries.’
MORE : Arsenal star William Saliba won’t start for France at World Cup, insists William Gallas
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