Arsenal will be convinced that they can finally surpass Manchester City in the Premier League title race this season.
In each of the last two campaigns, Arsenal have been beaten to the crown by Manchester City.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side will have learned from both of these disappointments. They now understand exactly what it takes to keep pace in a title race, and the manager will have encouraged his players to have channeled their pain into renewed hunger to succeed.
The Gunners have certainly started the new season in fearsome fashion. The North London club remain unbeaten in all competitions, having already taken the Cityzens on at the Etihad Stadium, and having come within seconds of winning that match despite having been down to ten men for more than half the game.
Ally McCoist has tipped Arsenal for the title this season, and he is not alone in holding this conviction.
Danny Higginbotham makes title call between Arsenal and Manchester City
Danny Higginbotham has now given his verdict on how this season’s title race will pan out.
The former defender, who began his career at Manchester United, is convinced that the injury to Rodri will hinder Manchester City to a decisive degree.
Speaking on The 2 Robbies Podcast, he said: “I actually put Arsenal favourites now. The reason I say that, I go back to the Newcastle game, and I think it was Fulham’s second goal yesterday.
“Very rarely have you seen Manchester City’s centre-backs panicking, as in running back towards their own goal, because usually you have the main guy, the best central midfielder in the world, who is sort of that second line of defence just behind the midfield.
“That, for me, is a game-changer. Not just because of the gravitas of how unbelievably good he is as a footballer, but I think in order to deal with him being out you have to get two players to do that job… I think it effects you going forward.”
Will Arsenal want to be Premier League title favourites?
Arteta has made no secret of his ambition to win the Premier League title, and will certainly want his side to be considered serious contenders.
However, there is a unique additional pressure that comes with being generally regarded as the favourites. This position adds a layer of expectation, and the threat of criticism should the team fall short.
Alternatively, though, a popularly held belief that Arsenal ought to win the league could easily give the players a confidence boost and a critical psychological edge over Pep Guardiola’s men.
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