Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal will win the Premier League title despite Manchester City closing in on the table. He added that the Gunners will face two key issues in the season - injuries and a slump in form.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said that a dip in form is normal for all teams, and Mikel Arteta's side will go through it as well. He believes that injuries are the main issue for Gunners this season and said (via Metro):
"Arsenal are only two points above Man City, who have been bang average this season, and three above Aston Villa. Arsėnal fans are so up and down, it's unbelievable. I still think Arsėnal will win the league. I do. They're making hard work of it now but what team doesn't go through those spells at some point?"
"The injuries are killing Arsėnal but I still think they win the title. Arsenal fans are so up and down which is understandable because they've been starved off success. But I think they get over the line and it could be the start of something special for that team."
Arsenal remain two points clear at the top of the table despite their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa last weekend. Manchester City took advantage of the slip-up and closed the gap by beating Sunderland 3-0.
Manchester City favorites as Arsenal cannot win big games, says Paul Scholes
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes Manchester City will now be looking at themselves as the favorites after moving within two points of Arsenal. He claimed that Arteta's side are not capable of beating the top sides in the league and it would be their big issue, while Pep Guardiola's side do well in the second half of the campaign.
He said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast (via Metro):
"Man City have a great chance now, don't they? I still don't think they're quite right but they always get better in the second-half of the season and the thing with Arsėnal is they can't win a big game. Until they start winning big games they've got no chance of winning the league."
"If you're going to win the league you've got to start winning some big games, you've got to beat your rivals, and they can't do it. Historically Man City always get better after January. They were in the Club World Cup so they didn't really have a pre-season."
Manchester City face Crystal Palace, while the Gunners take on Wolverhampton in the Premier League this weekend.