Lowe’s argument rests on continuity, and it is a strong one. “They trusted in this process that he talked about to build a foundation,” she said, pointing to the patience that took Arteta through difficult periods and out the other side.
That foundation already looks sturdy. Other reports noted Arsenal opened their title defence with a commanding 3-0 win over Coventry, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard on target. One result never decides a season, but it did reinforce the sense of a team that knows exactly what it is.
Lowe also named Chelsea as possible surprise challengers, which feels bold but not outlandish. Other reports suggest there is still movement around their squad, and that uncertainty can cut both ways: instability if it drags on, momentum if the pieces click quickly.
That is what makes Chelsea such an intriguing pick. They may not carry the same settled feel as Arsenal, but surprise challengers are rarely tidy, obvious stories in August.
Lowe also expects the early weeks to be unpredictable after a demanding World Cup summer, with some players still catching up physically. That should serve as a warning against reading too much into the first stretch of fixtures.
For now, Arsenal look best placed because they know who they are. The next storyline is whether that calm can hold once the schedule tightens - and whether Chelsea can turn early intrigue into a genuine title push before the season’s shape fully emerges.