Mikel Arteta is “lucky” to have four options up front as he tries to mastermind Arsenal’s first title win for 22 years, according to Olivier Giroud. The Gunners are two points clear at the top of the Premier League table as they bid to go one better after three successive second-place finishes.

Arsenal spent over £250million to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie all joining. The additions are having the desired effect so far, with Arteta’s side top of the Premier League and Champions League following a strong start to the season.

It has been Arsenal’s stern defence that has earned the majority of the plaudits so far this season, with opponents struggling to score past David Raya. But former Arsenal striker Giroud thinks their attack is also a major strength, especially when injuries ease off.

“Mikel Arteta is a lucky manager to have these four players up front,” he said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football programme. “Competition is good for the squad. I will say Gabriel Jesus is coming back after a long injury so we need to give him more time. Kai Havertz is more or less the same.

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“[Mikel] Merino is doing a good job also up front, even if he isn’t a proper No.9. As a No.9, I want to see [Viktor] Gyokeres succeed, I think he can improve but he has everything a top striker needs at the top level.”

Gyokeres was one of the big-name summer signings for Arsenal, arriving for £64m from Sporting Lisbon after a protracted saga. He scored a staggering 97 goals in 102 games for the Portuguese club, but has managed just six in 19 for his new club so far.

Jesus made his return from an 11-month injury lay-off as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Club Brugge last week and Arteta has suggested he could play alongside Gyokeres in a tweak to the team’s usual tactical set-up.

“That would be very strong and both players probably like to play a little bit shifted to the left side and can interchange in that position, which is something we have not had yet,” Arteta said before the 2-1 win over Wolves. “And that would put an extra body closer to the box in central positions so it is something we can work on. We must make sure we keep them fit to have many options.

“I think we have very strong personnel. That position is how we field them together at the same time, which is very difficult in terms of the context of the game, but I am very happy with the players we have. So far, of six months of the competition, we have not had more than two of them at the same time. Hopefully we will be in that position.”

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