Arsene Wenger has backed Arsenal to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title despite their recent wobble. Arsenal’s eight-point lead over Man City has quickly been cut to four following consecutive 2-2 draws to Liverpool and West Ham. The Gunners, chasing a first league title since 2004, were 2-0 up at Anfield and the London Stadium but dropped points in both fixtures to allow Manchester City to close the gap. As Man City still have a game in hand and face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium next week, there is a feeling that the defending champions will go on to clinch the title and block the Gunners from a long-awaited triumph. But Wenger is still backing Arsenal to win the Premier League and says Mikel Arteta’s side need to remember that the title is still effectively in their hands.
‘Arsenal and these players have not been in the position to win the league before,’ Wenger told beIN SPORTS when asked about the title race. ‘Hopefully they win it this year and next year it will be easier. But now, when you have never won it, there will be a moment in the season when the tension comes in. When you start thinking more about the need to win than the process and how to play, it gets difficult. I felt that at Arsenal when I was there too.’ Asked if Man City are now firm favourites to win the Premier League, Wenger replied: ‘No, no, no. I would say Arsenal still [will win the title]. What you want in this position is to have things in your hand. If Arsenal win their games, they win the league so that’s an ideal position with a few games to go. Of course, Man City have an opportunity when they play Arsenal and that could be the decider in the championship. I still fancy Arsenal, I’m not completely objective here, but I do. We will also have to see how much the Champions League takes out of Man City.’
Arsenal will be desperate to return to winning ways on Friday night when bottom-placed Southampton visit the Emirates Stadium. Manchester City face Champions League rivals Bayern Munich tomorrow before meeting Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Despite recent setbacks, Arsene Wenger is still backing Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season. He believes that if they win their remaining games, they will be crowned champions and that Manchester City’s involvement in the Champions League could be a factor in deciding who wins the title.