Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is relishing a tight title race with Arsenal.
Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast, the former Manchester United defender said Guardiola “wants” to be challenged by rivals and it looks like he will get his wish from the Gunners:
“It’s going to be good. I think it was good last year, and it’s going to be good this year. I think City know that there’s someone creeping up on their shoulder. We (Manchester United) knew it when City were chasing us all those years ago and I was retiring. You knew they were getting closer every single year.”
“There’s no doubt Arsenal are on their shoulder. There’s no doubt Pep Guardiola is smelling and feeling the challenge that he wants. He wants this challenge. He loves to overcome this type of challenge. They don’t want to give in, City. They’re not going to make it easy for them. But I like the way in which it’s going to pan out, I think we’re going to have a really good title race.
What is the state of play at the top of the Premier League?
After City dropped points against Newcastle at the weekend, Guardiola’s men sit second in the table, level on points with Arsenal after six games played.
Following their 2-1 win over Wolves, Liverpool are currently sitting top, with the Reds one point ahead of their rivals.
Are City still favourites to win the title?
Following the draw at St James’ Park (and the injury sustained by Rodri), the bookmakers no longer have the reigning champions as frontrunners to retain their crown.
City have odds as long as 2/1 to finish top of the table, with Arsenal now regarded as favourites (11/10 at some bookies), Liverpool are third in the running (7/2).
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
