Rio Ferdinand, a legend of Manchester United, has endorsed Manchester City to defeat rivals Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League this year.
After 21 games and 48 points, the Merseysiders are currently atop the English premier league. With a game remaining, they lead the Cityzens by five points. Only one game has been lost by Jurgen Klopp and company this season, and that was the contentious 2-1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur on September 30.
In the meantime, the Gunners, who had a great season opener, had a dismal 2023 campaign finale. Despite losing their past three league games prior to the new year, Mikel Arteta’s team was able to win their first league game of 2024.
On Saturday, January 20, Arsenal easily trounced Crystal Palace, winning 5-0 over the Eagles. Ferdinand responded as follows to the question of whether Manchester City would defeat Liverpool and the north London team in the title match (via The Boot Room):
“Yeah, comfortable.”
With talisman Kevin De Bruyne back in the lineup, the Cityzens have won three straight Premier League games. On January 13, with his team trailing 2-1, the Belgian midfielder at St James’ Park changed the course of the match. After coming off the bench, he contributed one goal and one assist to help the team win 3-2.
If Manchester City finishes the season atop the league standings, they will have won their fourth consecutive championship.
Arsenal’s hidden weapon in the title match versus Manchester City and Liverpool is revealed by Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, a winger, has disclosed that the team is putting a lot of effort into their set pieces this year. Compared to other Premier League teams, they have scored more goals from 13 dead-ball scenarios.
Saka, who is assigned to corner duties from the right side, is crucial to the process. Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace 5-0, with two of the goals coming from corner situations, demonstrating the value of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover’s efforts.
Saka discussed this and stated (via Express):
“We work on set pieces a lot. The worst is what it is, the worst!Nonetheless, Nico [Jover], our set-piece coach, does a great job; he tries to make it enjoyable and finds enjoyment in it. We’ll have to keep doing what he’s doing because it is obviously effective.”
Despite the Gunners’ skill at set pieces, Liverpool and Manchester City have both found the back of the goal on a regular basis. Manchester City has scored the most goals this season with 47, one more than Liverpool in the Premier League.