Arsenal will need to finish the season strongly if they are to claim top spot ahead of Vincent Kompany's former club Manchester City
Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta came up short against Pep Guardiola on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
As Arsenal go into a crucial final month of the season, the biggest obstacle between them and the Premier League title may that their current players have never won it before. Liverpool had several near misses before beating Manchester City to top spot in 2019/20 and - as Jose Mourinho pointed out - they only ended the drought after winning the Champions League.
Most of the current Arsenal squad have not won a trophy - their last piece of silverware was the 2020 FA Cup. If Mourinho is right in that winning silverware is key to clinching the Premier League title then it is worrying news for the Gunners.
Mourinho the pointed comment ahead City vs Liverpool in November 2019. "They (Liverpool) were not the best (in previous seasons), they were there, they were almost there, but you (City) were the best team, in this moment I don't think there is that difference in power," Mourinho told then City defender Vincent Kompany.
He continued: "Even in terms of statures, if statures play something. You are the champions of England but they are the champions of Europe.
"They know how to win, they know how to cope with the pressure, so for me, the game today is very, very important. Because if the distances are three points or six points, it is still very open, but if the difference is nine points, goodbye."
Jose Mourinho in 2019
Jose Mourinho was proved right as Liverpool beat Manchester City to the title(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Former City captain Vincent Kompany had attempted to play down the significance of the clash with it being so early in the season. However, Mourinho felt Liverpool's triumph in Europe was an important factor in Jurgen Klopp's side coming out on top.
Liverpool got the win that day, with early goals from Fabinho and Mohamed Salah paving the way for a 3-1 victory. As predicted by Mourinho, the nine-point gap opened up by that result would prove impossible for City to claw back.
It has been a different story this year, though, with City reeling in Arsenal despite Mikel Arteta's side holding a lead which at times looked unassailable. Victory at Burnley on Wednesday would see the two sides level on points at the top, with City moving ahead on goal difference if they can win by two or more goals.
Arsenal's performance in their defeat at the Etihad Stadium last time out gave some fans optimism. However, Mourinho's warning in 2019 may end up demonstrating why Liverpool were able to end City's dominance in a way which Arsenal cannot.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Content Image
Content Image