Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher expects Manchester City to edge out Arsenal in the title race for the third season in a row.
Despite being seconds away from losing at home to the Gunners on Sunday (despite their opponents being down to ten men), Carragher said that Pep Guardiola’s side’s extra firepower could be the deciding factor in who finishes top:
“I just think they (Manchester City) have got a little bit more in those attacking areas. I just think they have got a little bit more.”
“If Arsenal would have held on [against City], it would have been a set-piece goal and we know they are amazing at set pieces. We saw it last week when they won the game against Tottenham but you can’t win the game on set pieces every week. I just think Manchester City have the edge there.”
What’s the state of play at the top of the Premier League?
City moved back top of the table after salvaging a draw against the Gunners. It means that Guardiola’s men are a point ahead of Liverpool (in 2nd) and Aston Villa (in 3rd).
Arsenal are a point further adrift but they would have leapfrogged the Cityzens if they had held on for the win at the weekend. That’s how fine the margins are.
City have an insane schedule over the coming weeks
Due to scheduling conflicts, the Premier League champions have been forced to play their Carabao Cup third-round tie against Watford just 48 hours after playing almost 100 minutes against Arsenal. You can expect Guardiola to ring the changes for that match.
City are then in action again on Saturday lunchtime against Newcastle. They return to Champions League action versus Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday week before playing their last game ahead of the next international break against Fulham at the Etihad.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
