Petr Cech felt as soon as they signed Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi in the summer that the club were ready to challenge for the title.
But, according to The Sun, Cech knew they were serious about challenging when they allowed Jack Wilshere to leave the club on deadline day.
Cech is one of only two players in the current Arsenal squad to have won the Premier League along with Danny Welbeck.
The Czech keeper said it is encouraging to have a squad so rich in talent that they can afford to let a player of Wilshere's talent go to Bournemouth on loan.
The four-time Premier League title winner said:It shows the depth we have at the club when we can afford to let Jack join Bournemouth for the season.He is a fantastic player and, in normal circumstances, you would keep him.
But in order for him to get his fitness and confidence back ” and to get some games under his belt ” I think this is the best solution.Yet even without Jack, you can see the manager still has plenty of options, that shows we are ready to fight for the title.
It feels like the balance is right and we look to be in good shape.We've worked hard to make sure we're ready to compete and, so far this season, we've been proving it on the pitch.�
Arsenal sit joint top of the Premier League after a run of seven straight wins which put them back into contention. On Saturday lunchtime they beat Sunderland 4-1 at the Stadium of Light to go top, albeit temporarily, of the Premier League.