Arsenal are set to face Manchester City in a heavyweight clash on Sunday, with both teams aiming to compete for the title this season.
Arsenal unexpectedly led the title race last season before collapsing in a brutal fashion after losing William Saliba to injury, but the Gunners are unbeaten in the Premier League this season and will be aiming to leapfrog the Champions on Sunday.
It was a painful collapse last season, but Mikel Arteta has since spent heavily in the transfer market in order to right the wrongs of the end of the campaign, and his side face a huge test on Sunday.
The title race
From a Manchester City perspective, they went on to win the treble, and having won back to back titles before last season, they had the upper hand mentally when facing high pressure games in the run-in.
City defender Rico Lewis has now spoken about another potential title race, hinting that last season’s agony may push Arsenal on to go one step beyond simply challenging.
“I think they will definitely have been hurt after that,[not winning the title],” he told GOAL.
“They did so well last season and unfortunately for them they didn’t come away with the prize but it’s going to push them to be even better, which obviously pushes us.”
Arsenal’s title chances
It is too early in the season to fully assess whether Arsenal can win the title, but Sunday’s game may be a big indicator in how close the race can be.
If Arsenal can get their first league victory over Pep Guardiola, and a first victory against City since 2015, then it will be a huge statement that they are ready to go up a level, having lost to them twice last season.
Both sides could be missing crucial players, but Arsenal will not want to fall behind City this early on in the season, and at the Emirates, a loss could dent any hopes they have of beating the treble winners to the title this season.
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