According to a report by Metro on Monday, November 2, 2026, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has identified Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea as the three clubs he believes could challenge Arsenal for the Premier League crown this season.

Gerrard, however, remains convinced that Arsenal are currently the strongest candidates to defend their title, having demonstrated their ability to secure important victories even in difficult circumstances.

The Gunners returned to the top of the Premier League table after recording a narrow 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Their triumph came at a crucial moment, particularly as Manchester City suffered an unexpected home defeat against Brighton.

Kai Havertz netted the winning goal for Mikel Arteta's side, securing three valuable points and strengthening their position in the title race.

Speaking on The Overlap Daily, sponsored by Sky Bet, Gerrard praised Arsenal for their determination and ability to handle pressure in challenging away fixtures.

He explained that winning at a difficult venue like Anfield requires togetherness, discipline and resilience, qualities that could make a significant difference in the battle for the championship.

The former England international also maintained his belief that Arsenal would eventually finish the season as Premier League champions.

Gerrard pointed out that collecting maximum points from demanding matches could prove more important than simply producing convincing performances against weaker opposition.

He also acknowledged that Liverpool have a difficult task ahead if they intend to recover from their current position. The Merseyside club are now nine points behind Arsenal, leaving them with considerable work to do.

Meanwhile, Gerrard expressed admiration for Brighton following their impressive victory over Manchester City. He praised manager Fabian Hurzeler for building a competitive team capable of troubling some of the biggest clubs in England.

According to Gerrard, Brighton have the quality, tactical organisation and attacking options to challenge for Champions League qualification. However, he is uncertain whether they can maintain their current level throughout the entire 38-match campaign.

He believes the established contenders will eventually create a gap between themselves and Brighton as the season progresses.

Ultimately, Gerrard singled out Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea as the teams most capable of preventing Arsenal from successfully defending their Premier League title.

Despite recognising the threat from those clubs, he remains confident that Arsenal's squad depth, defensive strength and ability to win under pressure could give Arteta's team the advantage in the title race.