Arsenal - Micah Richards
Image credit: Getty Images
Micah Richards has confessed that Arsenal’s form has forced him to reconsider his stance in the Premier League title race, praising Mikel Arteta’s men as a “well-oiled machine” and singling out defender Gabriel Magalhães for proving him wrong.
The Gunners tightened their grip at the top of the table after a dramatic weekend in which all their major rivals slipped up. Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea all suffered costly defeats, allowing Arsenal to open up a four-point lead in the title race.
Liverpool’s run of poor form continued with a fourth straight league defeat against Brentford, while Aston Villa shocked Manchester City and Sunderland claimed an unlikely win over Chelsea. Arsenal took full advantage, edging Crystal Palace 1–0 at Selhurst Park to extend their lead.
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Eberechi Eze’s thumping strike against his former club proved the difference, sealing Arsenal’s fifth straight clean sheet and their tenth shutout of the campaign.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze scored Arsenal’s winning goal against Crystal Palace on Sunday (Image credit: Getty Images)
Richards, who had tipped Liverpool to defend their crown earlier in the season, now believes Arsenal’s consistency and adaptability make them serious contenders. Speaking onThe Rest is Football podcast, the former Manchester City right-back admitted he has been especially impressed by Gabriel’s transformation.
“The game [Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace] wasn’t a classic, was it?” Richards said. “I thought Palace did rather well in the first half, creating a few chances, but Arsenal just snuff them out and know how to kill a game. They’re so good at it.
“Gabriel, what a player he is. I wasn’t sure about him at the start, he made a couple of mistakes, I thought he looked a little clumsy. But he’s now turned into an absolute machine. He’s so key from set-pieces, for and against. People are calling Arsenal Set-piece FC but it doesn’t matter, win the game however you need to win them, that’s the most important thing.
Gabriel - Arsenal
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes (Image creidt: Getty Images)
Arsenal are finding ways to win games and that’s why they have a strong case for winning the Premier League.
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I never quite believed it with Liverpool’s squad and their transfer window but now you look at Arsenal and they don’t give teams opportunities, they just don’t. They look like a well-oiled machine.”
Richards’ comments mark a significant turnaround, having once questioned Gabriel’s ability to adapt following his £27 million move from Lille in 2020. The Brazilian has since emerged as one of the Premier League’s most dominant centre-backs, crucial at both ends of the pitch.
Arsenal now turn their attention to their Carabao Cup clash with Brighton before returning to league action at the weekend against a revitalised Burnley side.
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