At a Glance:
- Gabriel Agbonlahor predicts who wins the Premier League title out of Arsenal and Manchester City.
- Agbonlahor made his prediction after Burnley vs Man City.
- Pep Guardiola looked frustrated against Burnley.
Manchester City dethroned Arsenal as the Premier League’s table-toppers after their 1-0 win against Burnley on Wednesday.
However, Pep Guardiola’s men are currently level with the Gunners on both points and goal difference but have the edge on their title rivals as they have scored three more goals (66 compared to 63) currently.
The advantage that Mikel Arteta and Co have is that if Arsenal defeat Newcastle and Fulham, they will have a six-point lead at the top of the table before City play their next league game against Everton.
While Manchester City are in top-class form, the title race will ultimately come down to which out of the two sides handles the pressure of going all the way better in their final five games of the campaign.
Gabriel Agbonlahor predicts Arsenal to win the Premier League after Burnley vs Man City
On talkSPORT, Gabriel Agbonlahor had his say on the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City after witnessing the league leaders beat Burnley.
Mikel Arteta is under pressure and as things stand, his focus will be on taking every test game by game and getting three points rather than paying too much attention to his side’s goal difference; a factor that could decide the title race.
Despite facing a now-relegated Clarets side, City could only boost their goal difference by one. Gabriel Agbonlahor felt Manchester City’s deficiencies at the back against Burnley is a key reason why he reckons Arsenal will win the league.
“This morning, Ally [McCoist], walking in, I put my first bet on Arsenal winning the Premier League.”
“You know why, Ally, because last night, Manchester City, yes, very good going forward but defensively, they’re very open, missed a lot of chances but now Ally, it’s a shootout. It’s five games, who wants it? Who’s going to score the most goals? Arsenal play twice before Man City play again in the Premier League.”
“If I’m Arsenal against Newcastle on the weekend and Newcastle are in a bad place, I’m going for it. If I’m Arteta, no messing around, no quotes, finishing only in training. [Kai] Havertz, crosses and headers. ‘Guys, we can probably get plus six goals before Manchester City play again.’ Pressure’s on them.”
Additionally, Gabriel Agbonlahor felt Arsenal’s title run-in is a breeze compared to Manchester City’s, as he said: “Manchester City have got tough games, Ally. They’ve got Everton away, Bournemouth, Brentford, they’ve got Villa.”
“Arsenal have got Crystal Palace [away], Manchester City have got some tough games. I’m just thinking if I’m Arsenal now, does the pressure come off Ally because now you’re chasing?”
- READ MORE: Arsenal rank top of Premier League in one metric but it might actually have cost Mikel Arteta’s team
Pep Guardiola looked frustrated during Burnley vs Man City
It is hard to disagree with Gabriel Agbonlahor’s analysis of Manchester City’s triumph against Burnley as they were far too wasteful at Turf Moor.
The likes of Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki among others missed gilt-edged chances to improve City’s goal difference and lead them to a dominant win.
At one point, a frustrated Pep Guardiola sat on the bench next to Nathan Ake and vented his anger, with Gary Neville even commenting during the game on Sky Sports: “Guardiola’s not happy. Not having it.”
Mikel Arteta should take encouragement from the Sky Blues’ latest outing and tell his Arsenal players to make a statement against Newcastle on the weekend.
