Joe Cole reckons Arsenal would already have the Premier League wrapped up if they'd signed one particular Liverpool player during the summer transfer window.

The former Reds midfielder, speaking candidly about this season's title race, believes one of our summer signings represents the missing piece that could have transformed Arsenal's campaign entirely.

Rather than pursuing other targets, Cole suggests the Gunners should have moved for the Liverpool recruit who has clearly caught his eye since arriving at Anfield.

It's the kind of assessment that underlines just how well Liverpool have done their business in recent windows. Whilst other clubs chase marquee names or flavour-of-the-month strikers, we've quietly assembled exactly what we needed.

Cole's comments also reveal the respect our summer signing has already earned across the footballing world. When a player of his calibre is being touted as a potential title-winner for our rivals, you know the recruitment team have struck gold.

The timing of these observations feels particularly telling as we continue to set the pace at the top of the table, with Arsenal trailing in our wake once again.