Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji has admitted that challenging for the Premier League title is not a ‘target’ for his side amid a torrid run of form, something that will pique the interests of Arsenal.
City’s run of form was extended to just one win in their last 13 games in all competitions in Boxing Day’s early kick-off against Everton. City took the lead in the 14th minute through Bernardo Silva.
But, they were pegged back before half-time thanks to Iliman Ndiaye’s brilliant finish. City did have the chance to take the lead again in the second half, but Erling Haaland’s penalty was saved by Jordan Pickford.
The result leaves City in seventh place in the Premier League table, 11 points behind leaders Liverpool ahead of their late kick-off against Leicester City. Arsenal are in fourth place, five points ahead of City and with a game in hand.
It has led to Pep Guardiola’s side being written off in the race for a fifth title in a row. Akanji has now revealed the squad’s stance on the title race.
“The season is not finished but it's not a target for us at the moment,” he told Amazon Prime after the game. “We need to focus game by game and the next game against Leicester City will not be easy as well now, in the shape we are in.
“We need to focus on the positives. We did a lot of things great. We defended well and we attacked well, but were not able to finish as well as we wanted to or we could have scored three or four goals.”
Arsenal will have the chance to increase their lead over Man City on Friday night. Mikel Arteta’s side host Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium with kick-off at 8.15pm.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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