The TNT Sports pundit claimed that City are firm favourites ahead of this weekend’s Premier League game at the Eithad
Bookmark popover
Arsenal booked a place in the Champions league semi-finals with a 1-0 aggregate win over Sporting CPopen image in gallery
Arsenal booked a place in the Champions league semi-finals with a 1-0 aggregate win over Sporting CP (Getty)
Your support helps us to tell the story
Read moreSupport Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
**Your support makes all the difference.**Read more
Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole claimed that this weekend’s Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City will be decided by “mistakes” and “moments”, with Pep Guardiola’s side “absolutely the favourites” to win.
Arsenal currently have a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League though City have a game in hand, and they could cut the lead to just three points with a win at the Etihad this weekend.
While City have found form in recent weeks, with big wins over Liverpool and Chelsea, Arsenal have stumbled domestically, exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Southampton and losing in the league last weekend to Bournemouth.
And though the Gunners fought to a 0-0 draw to Sporting on Wednesday night to secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals, Cole was quick to “encourage perspective”, explaining that Mikel Arteta’s side “are not playing well” at the moment.
Cole explained that “there wasn’t much between the teams” during City’s 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup final, adding that he expected it to be the same this weekend.
“I still think in this one-off it’ll be moments within the game, it’ll be mistakes [that decide the game]. It’ll be edgy, blocked off,” he added.
“Absolutely City are favourites. I don’t think it bothers them. He’s [Pep Guardiola] playing mind games with everyone else,” explained Cole, though he insisted that “if Arsenal can avoid defeat, I think they win the league”.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said that his old side just need to “find form” in the run-in, though he did concede that “City have found their mojo again” in recent weeks.
Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions league semi-finals as they continue their quest for a doubleopen image in gallery
Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions league semi-finals as they continue their quest for a double (Getty)
While City’s last loss in the league came as far back as January, they have recently drawn to both West Ham and Nottingham Forest, while they were soundly beaten by Real Madrid in the round of 16 in Europe.
However, Arsenal have had their own struggles in recent weeks too, notably in that League Cup final loss in late March, though they will head to the Etihad knowing that even a draw could be enough to secure the title down the line.
The Gunners have just six games left in the league as they look to land a first Premier League title since 2004, while City have seven matches to go, with the date for their game in hand against Crystal Palace not yet set.