The battle for the Premier League title resumes on Saturday with Liverpool looking to strike another blow to their wobbling title rivals. The Reds moved top last weekend after they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at Anfield and Manchester City went down by the same scoreline at Bournemouth.
Given it was City’s first defeat in the English top flight since December last year it would appear harsh to suggest that they are teetering. However, the defending champions have now lost three matches on the run in all competitions. That’s the first time that has happened in six years.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are having an even tougher time. They have picked up just one point from their last three Premier League games and in midweek, like City, they suffered defeat in the Champions League
There were no such problems for Liverpool, who swept aside Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 at Anfield thanks to a sensational second-half blitz. It was their 14th win in 16 matches under new head coach Arne Slot, who has made a seriously impressive start to life on Merseyside after replacing the legendary Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds will aim to continue their winning ways on Saturday night when they host Aston Villa (8pm kick-off). And, given City and Arsenal face tricky trips to Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off) and Sunday (4.30pm kick-off) respectively, it could be a chance for Liverpool to extend their lead at the summit.
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas believes the battle for the title will be fought out between his old club, the Reds and City.
But the 84-capped France international, who also played for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur during his Premier League career, reckons Slot’s Liverpool are showing up the Mikel Arteta’s Gunners at present.
I still believe it’s between those three clubs: Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal,” said Gallas to Prime Casino when asked if another team can compete for top spot.
“Mikel Arteta has to find the solutions to get his team winning again, but, and I’ve said this before, Arsenal are missing that striker who can make the difference. I’ve been saying this for a long time; I’ve been saying it for years.
I still believe that when you want to win the league, you need to have one of the best strikers in Europe. That is the first problem that Arsenal have. The second problem is that some players are not at the same level they were last season.
“I know it’s not easy to repeat the same things year after year, because when you’re competing for the Premier League title, trying to be the best, you lose a lot of energy.
“I could understand Arsenal’s levels dropping if they won the league last season, I wouldn’t like it, but I would understand it because that can happen to successful teams.
It’s unacceptable for Arsenal’s players to look tired at this time of the season. Liverpool won the Premier League; they won the Champions League. They dropped off last season, and you can understand why, because maybe the players had heard the same things from Klopp for too long. You forgive them that because of what they won, Arsenal don’t have that excuse
Arsenal have won absolutely nothing! Nothing. Why are they tired? Their arms don’t ache form lifting trophies. Explain to me why they are tired. Liverpool, they don’t look tired, they look like they’re ready to fight for the title.”
The Gunners have been pipped to the Premier League by Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City side in the past two seasons. And Gallas added: “Arsenal have an amazing opportunity to win the title this season. Manchester City are not the same team as previous Pep teams from the last few seasons.
Arsenal need to take advantage of that. Don’t squander the opportunity that you’ve worked so tirelessly over the last two years for.”
