Chris Sutton declares Arsenal unstoppable: 'I can't see anyone stopping the Gunners'

Hook: The moment of a shocking declaration

On Saturday night, while Arsenal fans were still basking in the euphoria of a 1-0 victory over Tottenham in the North London derby, Chris Sutton – the 2026 Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers – dropped a statement that sent shockwaves through English football. On BBC Radio 5 Live, the former English striker didn't hesitate to declare: "I can't see anyone stopping Arsenal right now. They are a real winning machine."

Sutton, who scored 101 Premier League goals, didn't stop there. He continued: "Can you stop Arsenal? I don't think they can be stopped." These words weren't just a compliment – they were a bold statement about Arsenal's absolute dominance over the rest of the league.

I've watched and rewatched Arsenal's first three matches of the season, and I must admit there's something very special happening at the Emirates. But the question is: does Sutton's confidence have solid foundations, or is this just an impulsive prediction from an expert looking for attention?

Context: A turbulent start to the season

Arsenal have made a perfect start with 9 points from their first 3 matches, scoring 5 goals and conceding just 1. This is only the third time in the club's history they've achieved this feat. An 8-match winning streak in the Premier League (dating back to the end of last season) also creates extremely positive psychological momentum.

Meanwhile, their direct rivals have spent hundreds of millions of pounds in the summer transfer window. Chelsea have been splashing cash under new owner Todd Boehly, Manchester United spent over £200 million to strengthen their squad, and Liverpool and Manchester City haven't stood still either. However, Sutton believes that despite the financial power of their rivals, Arsenal remain in a superior position.

The former England international also specifically emphasized the solidity of Arsenal's defense – a factor he considers the foundation for any title ambitions. Conceding just 1 goal in 3 matches is an impressive statistic, especially when their opponents included a difficult Tottenham side and a always-physical Crystal Palace.

Core: Analyzing Arsenal's true strength

When I rewatched Arsenal's three matches, one thing impressed me most: their ability to control the tempo of the game. They don't need constant high pressing like Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, nor do they play defensive counter-attacking football like Italian teams. Instead, Arsenal choose to control possession intelligently, wait for opportunities, and deliver the decisive blow at crucial moments.

Their big players are stepping up at exactly the right time. Martin Odegaard, as captain, is showing remarkable maturity in his play. Bukayo Saka continues to be a dangerous threat on the right wing, while Declan Rice – the £105 million signing – has quickly integrated and become a steel shield in front of the defense.

But what truly amazes me is Arsenal's flexibility in approaching matches. They can dominate against weaker teams, but they also know how to absorb pressure and wait for chances against strong opponents like Tottenham. This is the sign of a mature team, not one that relies on a single style of play.

However, the biggest question remains: is this form sustainable? Last season, Arsenal led the table for most of the time but then collapsed under the pressure from Manchester City. Have they learned the lesson from that fall?

Contrarian: The reverse perspective – Numbers that speak

I've watched six matches, then I dare to say what 96% of experts won't say: Arsenal's current form might be overhyped. Let's look at the numbers objectively. In three wins, Arsenal have only scored 5 goals – less than 2 per match on average. The defensive solidity is commendable, but can a team scoring only 5 goals in 3 matches truly be called 'unstoppable'?

Let's compare with Manchester City – the team Sutton claims Arsenal are outperforming. The Citizens have scored 9 goals in their first 3 matches, showing far superior attacking power. This difference in goals scored could be a sign that Arsenal haven't truly been convincing in attack.

Another point I want to make: Arsenal's fixture list in this early part of the season has been quite favorable. Apart from Tottenham, they've only faced mid-table opponents like Wolverhampton and Crystal Palace. The real questions will be answered when they face Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea in the coming weeks.

And don't forget that Arsenal also have to deal with Champions League fixtures – where they'll face Napoli, a very strong team in Serie A. The distraction of competing on two fronts could affect their Premier League form.

Takeaway: A verifiable prediction

The stadium lights are off, Arsenal's story is just beginning to shine. I'll be closely monitoring their next three matches – including their Champions League opener against Napoli and the Carabao Cup tie against Sunderland. If Arsenal maintain this impressive form after that period, I'll believe Sutton was right. But if they start to fade, we'll witness one of the most spectacular falls in Premier League history.

The double-decker bus has lost its brakes, but the steering system was already off course. Arsenal are in an extremely favorable position, but football is a sport of surprises. Let's wait and see whether Mikel Arteta's 'winning machine' is truly unstoppable as Chris Sutton declared, or whether this is just a beautiful start before the season truly begins with real difficulties.

Football never forgives complacency. Arsenal have experienced that before. The question is whether they've learned this lesson.