Gary Lineker gives Arsenal Premier League title verdict and names signing key to challenge

Gary Lineker has named Declan Rice as the signing that has transformed Arsenal to challenge for the Premier League title.

The Gunners signed Rice last summer from West Ham in a £105 million deal. Since then he has gone on to become one of the key players of Mikel Arteta's team that has helped Arsenal battle for the league title with Manchester City and Liverpool.

Arsenal are still top of the league table but only have a one-point advantage over Man City, who have a game in hand after the 4-0 victory over Brighton on Thursday. The Gunners will now prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby this weekend.

This is the second season that Arsenal have competed for the league title alongside Man City. Now, Lineker has weighed in on the Gunners' chances of winning the league title and has explained why the arrival of Rice has helped improve their chances.

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«I think they've [Arsenal] matured a little bit more,» said Lineker on The Two Robbies podcast. «I was their first real run at the title last season, and they came up a little bit short at the end.

»But I think they really missed [William] Saliba in the last few weeks, he got injured and that's not happened this season. The partnership that he has at the back with Gabriel is really strong — their defensive record is exceptional this season.

«Not only are they good defensively, but the reason they don't concede many goals is they have the ball a lot. So they are a possession-based team.

»I think they've got a bit more about them. They've added to the squad, we talked about Kai Havertz,