Gael Clichy believes Arsenal may struggle to bridge the gap at the top of the Premier League table like Manchester City did last season if they lose to Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Mikel Arteta’s cohort on Sunday.
A defeat could give a huge advantage to not just Liverpool but also Manchester City in the ongoing title race.
Gael Clichy says Manchester City are a “different beast” to Arsenal
Last season, it seemed written in the stars that Arsenal would win the league, considering the stunning brand of football they were playing and the number of late goals they scored where they showcased the stuff of potential champions.
Pep Guardiola’s men were down and out in the race for most of the campaign but eventually, a change in tactics and their big guns like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri stepping up when it mattered most meant they won their third title on the bounce.
Now, Gael Clichy believes that if Arsenal suffer a defeat to Liverpool, they could struggle to fight back in the title race like Manchester City during their treble-winning season.
“It’s a big one [the game between Liverpool and Arsenal]. Obviously, if they lose today, it’s eight points [the gap between Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League table], if I’m right and people will be thinking, City have done in last year, eight points, they came back”, he said on Sky Sports.
“But City is a different beast than Arsenal, the bench is different, so it’s hard to say in February to say, if you lose a game, you’re out of the race but it is one of those games where you feel, if the gap goes to eight points, it’s going to be difficult.”
Mikel Arteta’s side lack the minerals Manchester City do in title races
In our view, Gael Clichy is spot on about Arsenal, who are nowhere near Manchester City when it comes to managing a title race.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, City’s know-how comes down to their multiple experiences of doing so, especially in recent years.
Both in the 2018/2019 and the 2021/2022 seasons, the Sky Blues proved why writing them off is a recipe for opinions that age poorly about them as they pipped Liverpool to both titles after being second best at crucial stages of the campaign.
Until Arsenal can silence their doubters and do the same as Manchester City have done in title races, logic would dictate that they may struggle to get over the line this season as well.
