Darren Bent says Manchester United aren’t in the Premier League title race with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, even if they beat Leeds United on Wednesday night, as he told talkSPORT (07/02/23).
Erik ten Hag’s side were beaten at Arsenal recently, after a stoppage-time winner from Eddie Nketiah, at the time, many on the red side of Manchester would have felt that their title push was out of the window.
But, since then, the current leaders have dropped points, losing at Everton over the weekend, which has perhaps left the door ajar for their old rivals.
At this moment in time, the gap between Manchester United and Arsenal is eight points, it could be five if they beat Leeds in a few hours time.
But it needs to be noted that those at Old Trafford would have played two games more.
Whilst Bent thinks that points on the board equal pressure, he still feels that it’s a two-way battle at the top.
“No, it’s a two-horse race,” said Bent.
On if Man United are in the title race if they beat Leeds: “No, because if Arsenal win their two games in hand, then it would be stretched to 11 points.
“I would rather have points on the board (than games in hand). Ask them near the bottom of the table.”
ARSENAL CAN AFFORD TO SLIP UP
Given that this squad of players and the manager are unproven, then the obvious of ‘will they slip up?’ has been thrown at the team again and again.
At this moment in time, that’s not happening because they have only lost two games all season and both of them were on the road.
Plus, when those deep challenges have been put in front of them, they have answered them, from beating Tottenham in their own backyard to that late winner against Manchester United.
What would perhaps please Arsenal fans, even more, is that they can still afford a few slip-ups, here and there, because of their current gap.
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