Supercomputer on Arsenal vs Manchester City for Premier League title
Supercomputer on Arsenal vs Manchester City for Premier League title
Opta's supercomputer has backed Arsenal to beat Manchester City in the Premier League title race. This is despite their 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Monlineux Stadium on Wednesday.
The Gunners faced Wolves, who had accumulated just nine points in 26 Premier League games before Thursday. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the fifth minute, before Piero Hincapie doubled their lead in the 56th minute. However, Hugo Bueno scored five minutes later, before a Riccardo Calafiori own goal in stoppage time helped Wolves equalize.
After the draw, Arsenal still lead the Premier League standings with 58 points in 17 games. They sit five points above Manchester City, who have a game in hand. However, Opta's supercomputer still backs the Gunners to win the title. It has predicted them to finish on around 80.58 points and have an 80.92% chance of winning the title.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have won just three of their last eight Premier League games, drawing four and losing one. Before their 2-2 draw against Wolves, they drew 1-1 against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. Manchester City, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last four league games, winning three and drawing one.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opens up about the team's mentality after a big blow in title race against Manchester City
The Gunners have failed to win a major trophy since their FA Cup win in the 2019-20 season. They have also finished second in the last three seasons in the Premier League. They lost the title twice against Manchester City and once against Liverpool.
Following the draw against Wolves on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta was asked about the mentality of his side under pressure. He answered (h/t Arsenal.com):
"I think any question, any criticism, any opinion, you have to take it on the chin today. I think that's it. Any hit, any bullet, take it, because we didn't perform at the level that is required. Anything that anybody says can be right because we didn't do what we had to do. The way to do it is on that pitch on Sunday, in a great opportunity that we have. We've always done it, but you're as strong if you show it the next time you do it. To talk and say it here, it's simple, and we have to do it on the pitch."
Arsenal will next face arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, February 22. They will then host rivals Chelsea a week later.