Rio Ferdinand has highlighted the ‘overriding factor’ he can feel that might swing the 2023/24 Premier League title race in Arsenal’s favour after their win against FC Porto.
The Gunners sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday with a 4-2 win on penalties. David Raya arose as Arsenal’s hero against Porto by saving Wendell and Galeno’s spot-kicks. Leandro Trossard had drawn Mikel Arteta’s side level on aggregate.
Arsenal will now feature in the last eight of UEFA’s elite club competition for the first time in 14 years. The Emirates Stadium side had not progressed beyond the Round of 16 since 2010. Arteta even also has Arsenal’s eyes on winning their first Premier League title since 2003/04.
Arsenal lead the Premier League table on goal difference
Top-flight glory has eluded Arsenal since Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles side 20 years ago. But Arteta has the Gunners perched at the top of the top-flight table on goal difference after 28 fixtures to Liverpool. Manchester City are one point behind the north London giants, as well.
Arsenal outdo Jurgen Klopp’s Reds with their +46 goal difference to Liverpool’s +39 thanks to the Premier League’s best offence. No side has scored more goals than the Gunners (70), who also boast the division’s best defence. Arteta’s side have only conceded 24 times so far.
Having to juggle a Premier League title bid with returning to the Champions League quarter-finals could complicate Arsenal’s campaign. But Manchester United legend Ferdinand – who won six top-flight titles and one Champions League – believes it can give Arsenal an edge.
Rio Ferdinand can ‘feel’ the spirit at Emirates Stadium
Ferdinand could ‘feel’ after Arsenal’s win against Porto the spirit between Arteta’s team and the Emirates Stadium faithful. Now, he believes the bond between those on the pitch and in the stands might swing the Premier League title race in favour of the north London natives.
“I think the bigger thing today [is] that they showed a spirit,” Ferdinand said on TNT Sports 1 after the shootout. “They never looked in complete control.
“I think a lot of people who walked into the stadium today, like me, like us, we expected Arsenal to control the tempo [of] this game [and] be aggressive on the front foot. But you realise that, actually, at this level, there are teams that can come and go toe-to-toe and have the confidence to do that. But I think the spirit is the overriding factor that I see here.
“The scenes after [the game]. The fans, the players [and] their connection to their fans now, that creates a strong bond that I can feel in this place now. And that will hold them in good stead in the latter stages of this competition but also the run-in of the Premier League.”
Manchester City are chasing history this season as Pep Guardiola’s players can become the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles. While Liverpool are looking to end Klopp’s tenure on top and add to their only top-flight title since 1989/90 sealed in 2019/20.
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