Ilkay Gundogan believes Arsenal and Manchester United are ‘extra motivated’ to win the Premier League title. He feels rival teams are dying to end Manchester City’s dominance.
The Etihad Stadium natives have won four of the last five titles with Liverpool the only side to interrupt the run. Jurgen Klopp denied Pep Guardiola yet another crown in the 2019/20 season. But Manchester City are now eying three top-flight titles in a row for their first time.
Guardiola guided the Citizens to back-to-back titles for the first time in the club’s history in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. But only Manchester United have achieved three titles in a row. The Red Devils did so twice between 1998/99 to 2000/01 and 2006/07 to 2008/09.
Arsenal, though, currently sit atop the Premier League table as they chase their first title in 19 years. Arsene Wenger oversaw the Gunners’ last triumphant campaign back in 2003/04 with The Invincibles. Yet Mikel Arteta has the north London natives sitting five points clear.
Manchester City have also played one game more than Arsenal despite their five-point gap in second. Manchester United in third, meanwhile, have played two more fixtures than the Gunners. The Citizens lead the Red Devils for the silver medal by two points with 45 to 43.
Gundogan believes Man City’s dominance gives Arsenal ‘extra’ title motivation
Arsenal will temporarily play their game in hand on Manchester City on Saturday when the Gunners host Brentford. But the Citizens host Aston Villa this Sunday before a crucial clash at the top of the table on Wednesday. Guardiola’s squad visit Arteta’s at Emirates Stadium.
Expectations for the rescheduled meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City, originally planned for October, having Premier League title consequences before the term were low. The Gunners had missed out on Champions League qualification by two points last season.
Yet Gundogan believes Arsenal and Manchester United deserve to be in the race with City for this season’s title. He also feels the Citizens’ dominance is fuelling both teams’ charges.
“Of course, every season brings its difficulties,” Gundogan has told Sky Germany. “Even if it may look easy – it’s never. Arsenal are playing at a very high level at the moment, with Manchester United breathing down our necks.
“The teams get better every year. Sometimes you have to blame yourself and realise you didn’t play well enough. Overall, however, the challenge is getting bigger and bigger.
“And against us – a side who have won four league titles in the last five years – most opponents are probably extra motivated to make life particularly difficult for us.”
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