Martin Keown has stated that a ‘draw was a better result’ for Arsenal following Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
The former Arsenal defender warned about how Mikel Arteta’s side have to play the third-placed team next Sunday and how Manchester City losing wasn’t a fantastic result for them, as he told Final Score.
Whilst the current champions of England are five points behind the leaders having also played a game extra, somehow from somewhere, Erik ten Hag and his players have popped up.
That humiliating defeat to Brentford seems a very, very long time ago now because the gap between those at Old Trafford and those at the Emirates is now six points.
But this is where things could become very, very interesting. If Tottenham were to win the north London derby on Sunday, then Manchester United have the chance to close the gap on their old rivals to six points in seven days’ time.
That would certainly test the nerves of the Gunners, with Keown reacting to Pep Guardiola’s comments about Manchester United’s equalising goal being offside, as well as the title race.
“They (Man City) will bounce back,” said Keown. “He (Guardiola) didn’t get the reaction he necessarily wanted. Okay, he is turning the guns onto the officials and a little bit onto the media.
“They are going to say ‘we are out, but we know we are not’
On this being fantastic for Arsenal: “Well, they just have to play their game (against Spurs). Is it though (fantastic for Arsenal)? Manchester United have won a game and they will play Arsenal, so maybe a draw was a better result for Arsenal.
“Nonetheless, if the current champions get beaten, then I think that’s almost good for the rest of the Premier League. Arsenal go to White Hart Lane, goodness me, that’s a massive game.”
BIG WEEK FOR ARSENAL
These next two games are massive for Arsenal and their hopes of securing the title.
This defeat for Manchester City would be seen as a massive favour from Manchester United if the current leaders can beat Tottenham in the north London derby.
If that happens, then the gap at the top is eight points and a further nine to the 20-times champions of England.
Added to that, pick up maximum points next week against Manchester United, then the gap between the two is 12 points, which probably ends any talk of a title race for ten Hag and his players.
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