Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the Gunners have a key advantage over Manchester City.
Arsene Wenger was in charge of Arsenal from 1996 to 2018. He is the most successful manager in the north London club’s history, having delivered three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, and overseen the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta is now in the dugout at the Emirates Stadium, and looks to be well on the way to bringing the good times back to Arsenal. He guided the Gunners to an unlikely title challenge last season, but they ultimately lost out to Manchester City.
Manchester City once again look like a force to be reckoned with this time around. However, Wenger believes that his former club have an advantage over Pep Guardiola’s side this season.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Speaking on former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman’s podcast, Seaman Says, the Frenchman said, “I believe as well that City, having lost [Kevin] De Bruyne for a long period and [Ilkay] Gundogan, who was a very important player, even if they are a top team I don’t disagree with that, maybe they [Arsenal] can take advantage of it. But we have to deal with the Champions League and that costs points as well.”
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
Arsenal still face massive challenge
The loss of Ilkay Gundogan will have come as a major blow to Manchester City this summer. The German midfielder joined Barcelona on a free transfer, despite their being interest in his signature from Arsenal themselves.
Kevin De Bruyne then sustained a hamstring injury early this season. Manchester City could be without the influential Belgian playmaker for some time. Given De Bruyne’s undeniable quality, his absence will surely be felt on the pitch at some point.
These setbacks are yet to have much of an impact at the Etihad Stadium, though. Guardiola’s side have a 100% record in the Premier League so far this season and look to be bringing through their next generation of stars, with Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku, amongst others, impressing in recent weeks.
Even with these perceived advantages playing into their hands, Arsenal still face a huge challenge in surpassing Manchester City in the Premier League this season. Arteta will certainly still realise that the Gunners remain massive underdogs in the title race.