According to Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher, there is one player Arsenal should be wary of as they continue their hunt for a first Premier League title in over two decades. The Gunners currently sit atop the table with 33 points from 15 matches, with City close behind in second, just two points off.
So, who is this player that Carragher feels could make the difference in the title race?
Jamie Carragher Feels Manchester City Can Rely on Phil Foden in Title Race With Arsenal
Phil Foden started the season in poor form, scoring just once in his first 10 league games. Thomas Tuchel even dropped him from England’s squad in October, but the 25-year-old has since seen a turnaround in his fortunes, especially in the final third.
Foden has netted five times in Manchester City’s last three league matches, including a goal and an assist in their latest 3-0 win over Sunderland. This return to goal-scoring form, at least according to Carragher, will lift a lot of weight from Erling Haaland’s shoulders.
“I think that’s a bit worried for Arsenal [Foden’s return to form]. If he continues in the form that he was when he was Player of the Year two years ago I think as an Arsenal fan I’d be really worried in terms of the title. Haaland, at times we’ve mentioned City as a one-man team this season. At times, in terms of the goals, they have been. But Haaland has just been Haaland. He can’t do it on his own”, said Carragher on Monday Night Football (via Metro).
Foden, with nine goals across competitions, is now City’s second-highest goal-scorer this season, still a whopping 11 goals behind Haaland. Carragher pointed out the need for City to outscore Arsenal over the course of the campaign, as the Gunners (nine, compared to Manchester City’s 16) have the best defensive record in the league.
“If Man City are going to win the league they will need goals from other areas. We’ve mentioned they’ve already scored seven goals more than Arsenal. If he carries on like that Manchester City will score a lot more goals than Arsenal… We know Arsenal are the best team defensively in this league by a long way. But if Phil Foden comes to the party in a big way that is a huge problem for Arsenal”, added the former Liverpool defender.
Nicky Butt Tells Arsenal to Watch Out For Manchester City’s Late-Season Surge
Nicky Butt, meanwhile, believes Manchester City have the experience and the know-how to beat Arsenal to the grand prize yet again. The Cityzens are no strangers to league success, having won five of the last seven titles on offer.
Butt thinks this could be the swansong for City’s manager Pep Guardiola, and the Spaniard would want to pip his former assistant, Mikel Arteta, to English football’s grand prize. The Cityzens shaved Arsenal’s lead down to two points this weekend after beating Sunderland 3-0 following the Londoners’ late 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
“I did say I fancied Man City for the title about a month ago. They’re suddenly clicking. The reason I think Man City will win the league is Pep [Guardiola]. He’s got the experience. I can see him winning the league this year and then leaving”, said the former Manchester United player on The Good, The Bad & The Football Podcast (via GOAL).
Arsenal last won the league in the 2003-04 season, and have finished runners-up in the last three campaigns.
