Arsenal were leading the Premier League by eight points only a couple of weeks ago. Now, with seven games to go, Arsenal are four points clear of Manchester City, however Pep Guardiola’s side do have a game in hand on the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s side have stumbled in recent weeks with consecutive 2-2 draws against Liverpool and West Ham United.
The Gunners are chasing a first league title since the 2003/04 when Arsene Wenger & Arsenal went through a whole season unbeaten to lift the Premier League trophy. Arsenal haven’t been close to replicating that in 19 years, until this season…
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Manchester City might have closed the gap in recent weeks, however with the title deciding game at the Etihad still to come in eight days time, it’s still in Arsenal’s hands with seven games to play.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won four out of the last five Premier League titles which could go into Manchester City’s favour with the pressure starting to mount of this young Arsenal side. However Arsene Wenger is still backing his former club to win the Premier League this season.
The former Arsenal boss says Mikel Arteta’s side need to remember that the title is still effectively in their hands.
“Arsenal and these players have not been in the position to win the league before. Hopefully they win it this year and next year it will be easier. But now, when you have never won it, there will be a moment in the season when the tension comes in.
When you start thinking more about the need to win than the process and how to play, it gets difficult. I felt that at Arsenal when I was there too.”
Arsene Wenger was then asked if Man City are now firm favourites to win the Premier League, he replied:
“No, no, no. I would say Arsenal are still favourites. What you want in this position is to have things in your hand. If Arsenal win their games, they win the league so that’s an ideal position with a few games to go.
Of course, Man City have an opportunity when they play Arsenal and that could be the decider in the championship.
I still fancy Arsenal, I’m not completely objective here, but I do. We will also have to see how much the Champions League takes out of Man City.”
Arsenal will be desperate to return to winning ways on Friday night when bottom-placed Southampton visit the Emirates Stadium, which would give the Gunners a seven point lead on Manchester City before the trip to the Etihad the following week.
