Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has predicted that Arsenal will win the Premier League title this season.
According to the former England defender, Mikel Arteta’s men have the “confidence, quality and calmness to take the title”.
The Gunners are five points ahead of Manchester City and have a game in hand on their closest challengers heading into the second half of the campaign. Many fans and pundits expect Pep Guardiola’s defending champions will hunt down Arteta, his former assistant, and Co. during the run-in.
Arsenal have not won the Premier League since their famous ‘Invincibles’ 2003/04 season, whereas City have a squad of decorated, battle-hardened stars who have won four titles in five seasons. Nonetheless, Ferdinand is adamant the tide is changing and the trophy will have a new home in May.
The Manchester United legend told his FIVE YouTube channel : “I think it’s a wrap. I’ve got to be honest, I do. No matter what results Arsenal get against Man City, I still think Arsenal have enough confidence, quality and calmness to take the title.”
As Ferdinand alluded to, Arsenal still need to face City twice in the league this season after their scheduled clash for October was postponed so the Gunners could fulfil their Europa League commitments in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. The Gunners will host their title rivals at the Emirates in two weeks’ time, in a blockbuster clash on 15 February, before travelling to the Etihad Stadium on 26 April, by which time the title-race pressure may be reaching fever pitch.
While Ferdinand believes Arsenal will still go on to win the league even if they are beaten twice by the Sky Blues, a glance at the table suggests the title race will have a very different complexion if that is the case.