Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that the fact Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League in 19 years actually makes the Gunners title favourites to win the trophy this season, ahead of Manchester City.
The last time Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy was back in the 2003/04 season when the famous Invincibles went a whole season unbeaten under Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners haven’t come close to lifting the trophy in the 19 years, until this season which has come as a surprise to everyone.
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have finished 8th twice & 5th last season, narrowly missing out on the top four, however they now find themselves five points clear at the top of the table with 11 games to go.
There have been some nervy moments for Arsenal in recent weeks, with late goals needed to see off the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta has got his team believing until the very last minute. If you play under the Arsenal boss, you never give up, that’s what he has instilled into his players and that’s one reason why Arsenal currently find themselves at the top of the Premier League table.
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Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has said that Arsenal have an inspiration of ending the 19-year wait for the title that his side cannot match following all their own recent success.
“They have many years without winning the Premier League and that gives you a little bit extra to win games in 93, 96, 98 minutes. That is something they have that we don’t have because we have won back-to-back, two times.”
Despite his critique of his side’s winning mentality, Guardiola argued that City deserve credit for keeping in the title fight for so long even after so many years of continued success.
“Normally in this country when you win something or a lot and you don’t start the season well or another team is better, you drop this consistency, but still we are there. This is the best trophy and compliment we can have. I don’t know what is going to happen at the end of the season, but still they know we want to be there and will fight to be there and this is great.
If experience works, the team who wins the previous season will win it every single season. Look at Liverpool, who lost against Bournemouth. A few months ago, 9-0. What you have done in the past is in the past. You have to do it again because football is unpredictable. People take for granted there are guarantees but it’s not the truth. The reality is, still we are there.”
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