Stan Collymore has written in CaughtOffSide that he thinks that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are not the favourites for the Premier League title this season, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are.
The former Liverpool striker has said that he wants Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season.
However, the pundit has said that defending champions City are still the favourites despite the Gunners being in the lead.
Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League table at the moment with 63 points from 26 matches.
City are second with 58 points from 26 matches.
Stan Collymore on Arsenal vs Manchester City title race
Collymore wrote: “For me, Arsenal have had four or five different hurdles this season. First, it was to start well, then it was how would they carry on post-World Cup. Then it’s juggling the cup competitions and Europe, and would this give the other clubs a chance to gnaw away at the points deficit.
“Then finally, there’s the run-in, and for me that starts with the final eight games of the season – that’s when the players will be going to bed every night dreaming about lifting the Premier League trophy, because it’s so close and it can start to cause havoc with your mind.
“If even three or four players start getting nervous and stop performing, then I can see Manchester City overtaking them. I still think City are the favourites, and they’re hosting Arsenal at the Etihad, which can cut Arsenal’s lead down to two points.”
The pundit added: “I’ve been quite critical of Arteta, but I’d love to see them win it because City have dominated in recent seasons. You want to see a different name on the trophy, and you like seeing young players, particularly young English players like Bukayo Saka doing well, so I think it would count a lot and I’d like to see them get over the line in those all-important last eight games, but I’m not getting too excited yet.
“Part of me is starting to believe, but there’s just a part of me that wonders if, instead of the glass being half full with that comeback against Bournemouth, the glass is actually half empty and the two goals Bournemouth scored are pointing towards something more sinister than just a freak score-line that put them 2-0 up at the Emirates.”
Arsenal are the favourites
In our view, Arsenal have to be considered as favourites for the Premier League title now.
Yes, we know how good and strong Manchester City are.
And we have to accept that if City were at their absolute best this campaign like they have been in the past few seasons, then Arsenal would probably not been at the top.
Pep Guardiola’s side have lost four Premier League games already this season.
And they have drawn four.
However, the way Arsenal have overcome each and every hurdle too far this campaign shows their character and mentality.
For example, this past weekend, Arsenal came from two goals down to beat Bournemouth 3-2.
That is the kind of performance and results that champions get.
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