Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will be more concerned about Liverpool than he is about Arsenal when it comes to this year’s title race.
That’s according to Manchester United legend and former England midfielder Paul Scholes.
Man City are looking to make it a record-extending five Premier League titles in a row this season.
They remain the only side unbeaten in the top flight this campaign, albeit having dropped points with draws against Newcastle and Arsenal.
Last season, Man City were pushed to the final day by runners-up Arsenal, who ended the season just two points behind the champions.
Having been in a strong position to win until a late slip-up last term, Mikel Arteta‘s side are desperate to go one better this season.
However, according to Scholes, it is not the Gunners who are the biggest threat to Man City’s dominance in the top flight.
Scholes joined the regular cast of The Overlap podcast to discuss how some of the title contenders have performed thus far.
And he explained exactly who he think has the greatest chance of rattling Man City this term.
“I think Liverpool‘s squad is better than Arsenal’s,” he admitted. “I think Guardiola will be more worried about Liverpool than he is about Arsenal.”
Liverpool have won all but one of their first eight Premier League fixtures, having suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in September.
New manager Arne Slot has been praised for his work, having also helped the side set a record which has seen them win their first six away matches in a season for the first time ever.
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They currently sit top of the Premier League table.
It had been argued their start to the season posed few big challenges, and so much was on the line when they came up against arguably their toughest opposition so far in Chelsea last weekend – who they defeated 2-1.
One of the standout areas in that victory was their midfield, with Curtis Jones bagging a goal as he put in a performance which saw him named Man of the Match.
He was supported by an equally strong Ryan Gravenberch, who has picked up praise frequently this campaign for his work in midfield.
And when asked by Gary Neville what it was about the Reds in this area of the pitch that made them so strong, Scholes picked out one element in particular which he believes is elevating their play.
“They’ve got legs, haven’t they?” he observed. “I think that’s the biggest thing I noticed at Old Trafford when they played against Man United.
“I thought, ‘wow they look a fit team’. And there’s quality with it as well.
“Them three in the middle of the pitch – with the forwards they’ve got in front of them, I don’t think it really matters that much. We always say, you’re only as good as your forwards are.
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“Now they’ve got three forwards – not three, probably five or six – who are special. So that middle of the pitch, I don’t think it becomes that important.
“Although they have still got six again. Any three of the six could play and can be brilliant.
“Alexis Mac Allister didn’t play at the weekend – how good’s he though?”
And it is not just Liverpool’s skill that Scholes commented on.
He also observed that Arsenal have not looked quite as challenging as he has seen that in previous campaigns, making them look less dangerous as contenders.
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He also predicted it would be Slot’s side who came out on top when pitted against Arteta’s side on Sunday.
“Even without the sending offs, I don’t think Arsenal have been great anyway,” he said. “I don’t think it’s flowing like it was last year. I think Odegaard could be a massive issue.”
