Danny Mills believes Arsenal and Manchester City are now in a two-horse race to win the Premier League title. But it is the Gunners’ to lose with Mikel Arteta’s side atop the table.
Arsenal are in search of their first top-flight title in 19 years this season having mounted a surprise challenge. The north London natives entered the campaign aiming to compete for qualification to the Champions League. Yet they now have their eyes on lifting the crown.
Arsene Wenger last guided the Gunners to the title during the club’s Invincibles season at Highbury in 2003/04. Since then, Manchester City have won the title on six occasions and in four of the last five campaigns. Arsenal were last runners-up to Leicester City in 2015/16.
The 2022/23 Premier League title is now Arsenal’s to lose to Manchester City
Arsenal maintained a five-point lead at the top of the tree with a 97th-minute winner over AFC Bournemouth last Saturday. Manchester City had trimmed their deficit to two points after beating Newcastle United earlier in the day. But Reiss Nelson would be Arteta’s hero.
The result also saw Arsenal win four games in a row after coming through a tricky patch of form. Arteta’s side lost 1-0 at Everton before a controversial 1-1 draw with Brentford. Pep Guardiola then oversaw a 3-1 win as Manchester City visited Emirates Stadium last month.
Beating Newcastle last weekend also ensured Manchester City opened a nine-point lead to third place. Manchester United lost ground in their possible title challenge with a humbling 7-0 defeat at Liverpool. The Red Devils have a game in hand over the Gunners and Citizens.
Danny Mills does not feel Manchester United are a threat to the top two
But, even with the game in hand, Mills does not consider Manchester United as a threat to Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League title race. The ex-Citizens midfielder is confident it is now just between Arteta and Guardiola’s clubs, leaning toward the Gunners.
“Yes [it is a two-horse race],” Mills said on Sky Sports News (09/03, 11:44). “It’s Arsenal or Manchester City – they’re not both going to fail. One of them might. Obviously, if City fail, Arsenal win it. If Arsenal fail, City win. But I can’t see them both collapsing at this stage.
“It would be unprecedented if that happened.” He added (11:49): “Can City afford to lose one more game? Maybe one. If they win 11 and lose one, it might be very, very tight.
“If they lose that one to Arsenal, that’s going to make it really, really difficult. That game is going to be absolutely vital. But it’s Arsenal’s to lose at this stage of the season. They’re on a fantastic run [and] they’re top of the league for a reason.
“At the moment, they’re the best team in the league. They’ve still got a few games to go but there’s no reason why now, after they’ve come through a little bit of a sticky patch, that they can’t go on and finish it off.”
Arsenal visit Manchester City on April 26 in what could be a decisive match in the Premier League title race. The Gunners have six top-flight fixtures to play before visiting the Etihad Stadium, where they lost 1-0 in the FA Cup on January 27 and have not won at since 2015.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
