Rio Ferdinand and Danny Murphy believe Arsenal will struggle in the title run-in, with Murphy ruling them out in the Premier League title race.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are all in contention to win the title and each have six games left to play. Last weekend saw the Citizens pull ahead after they beat Luton 5-1, with both the Reds and the Gunners falling to defeat against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa respectively.
Speaking ahead of the match, Murphy rubbished Arsenal’s chances of winning a first title since 2004 when pointing out they have to get results away from home against Tottenham and Manchester United.
“This is what we want from a Premier League title race,” Murphy said on talkSPORT, “Unless you’re a Man City fan you probably want someone else to win it.
“I wanted Arsenal to win it last year, for example. It’s not that I don’t admire Man City, of course I do, it’s a phenomenal team with a great manager. But we need that competition in the Premier League and this is turning into a real ding-dong. I don’t think Arsenal will get over the line, just because of the fixtures. They’ve got to go to Tottenham, Old Trafford and Brighton.”
Ferdinand, meanwhile, predicted Arsenal’s last seven results alongside Laura Woods on Sky Sports ahead of the Villa game, saying they’d beat Unai Emery’s side but also slip up against Man United and Spurs.
Arsenal’s defeat by Villa makes Mikel Arteta’s already difficult job that bit harder with the Gunners now two points behind Pep Guardiola’s serial winners.
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson was damning about his side’s chances following the Villa defeat, saying on Sky Sports: “For me, it’s gone – 100 per cent.
“It’s completely turned on its head now. Man City put pressure on them by playing first and they couldn’t handle it. But take nothing away from Crystal Palace and Aston Villa they were absolutely outstanding.”
