Manchester City beat Liverpool in emphatic style.placeholder image
Manchester City beat Liverpool in emphatic style. | Getty Images
Manchester City are closing the gap on Arsenal with an impressive run of form prior the the international break.
Arsenal will be looking over their shoulder after the international break following a rampant run of form from Premier League rivals Manchester City over the last few weeks.
Pep Guardiola’s side were slow out of the blocks this season but appear to have found a dangerous alchemy which highlights their credentials to pose a serious threat to the Gunners’ title hopes.
Manchester City thrashed Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium last weekend and that came after wins over in-form AFC Bournemouth and against German giants Borussia Dortmund in the Premier League. Arsenal are still four points ahead of their rivals but a title race certainly seems to be hotting up.
Man City insider on ‘togetherness’ at Etihad Stadium
Former Manchester City forward Paul Dickov, who was a product of the Arsenal academy, now works within the media team at the club. Speaking to LondonWorld, the insider revealed what he had seen around him at the club - and it’s a viewpoint that the Gunners must take serious warning from.
When asked whether Guardiola’s side could keep up with Arsenal in a title race, he said: “I think so, especially after they demolished Liverpool. Being in and around the club quite a lot, especially this season, the whole atmosphere, togetherness and the drive after the disappointment from last season was there for everybody to see. I could sense yesterday's performance [v Liverpool] coming, because they lost at Villa the other week. Then everybody was talking about how big the game was against Bournemouth and then obviously Borussia Dortmund and then Liverpool.
“We were thinking it could define the season really. To get the three victories that they did, and in the manner of how they've done it, that matters. People will talk about Liverpool not being in great form at the minute, but I don't think it was as much down to that as it was how good Manchester City were.”
Arsenal tipped to face Premier League title challenge from Pep Guardiola
In the early weeks of the campaign, Manchester City had appeared too reliant on the brilliance of Erling Haaland. However, in their three back to back victories, other first team stars caught the eye with convincing performances.
Dickov added: “I look at the squad, and it reminds me of a couple of seasons ago: a lovely mixture of youth and experience. They’ve made good signings. Rayan Ait-Nouri looks good from Wolves, and he can't even get in the team at the minute because of young Nico O'Reilly. Then you've got Rayan Cherki, who's a game changer. And then Phil Foden back to form.
“Jeremy Doku, who was one of the best performers against Liverpool. Defensively, they were really sound too. I won't say it’s a defining moment because it's still too early in the season, but I think City put a marker down for everybody else, to let people know that they're not gonna roll over any time soon.”
In other news, Arsenal star who Man City failed to sign hailed 'ultimate' player by Etihad insider.
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