Brad Friedel has claimed that Arsenal could struggle with the World Cup break, with his former club Tottenham a potential beneficiary in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners currently lead the Premier League standings after nine matches, with Manchester City currently one point behind and Tottenham four points behind in third. However, Friedel has claimed that the World Cup could come at a good time for the club where he made 67 appearances between 2011 and 2015.
The former USMNT 'keeper was speaking to onlinecasino.ca, with the Premier League '500 club' member suggesting that the fact Spurs have one of the best strike forces in Europe could be a deciding factor in the title race.
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He said: "I think they [Tottenham] are in the discussion, especially with this kind of season. I don’t know what is going to happen with teams’ form after the World Cup. All the top teams are going to miss players, and one or two players picking up injuries, or that are mentally tired, or wanting a break after the World Cup could change it.
"This season is a bit of an anomaly: you don’t know what is going to transpire after the World Cup. With Conte in charge, with that front four and rotation that is one of the best strike forces in Europe, you always have a chance. Arsenal looks very good right now, and Manchester City looks phenomenal.
"A team like Arsenal could struggle with this break, though, which could take this momentum from them. I don’t think it matters at all for Man City. Man City could put their 30th player out there: they are just awesome to watch, they really are. Adding Erling Haaland to that team is just really not fair to teams. Things can change, but we will see."
The 51-year-old also refused to rule out Liverpool from the title discussion, saying that Jurgen Klopp was the right man to lead the Anfield club going forward. The Reds have made their worst league start in 10 years, with Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Arsenal leaving them 10th in the Premier League table, but Friedel has said never to rule out a club who were in the running for a quadruple last season.
He said: "I would never count out Liverpool in the title race, just with the squad that they have. I think two of their players look mentally tired to me – Salah and Van Dijk - two of their huge players.
"I actually don’t worry about Liverpool. I grew up as a Liverpool supporter. Jürgen Klopp and his staff are fantastic. The squad he has put together is fantastic. For me, they are going to finish in the top four no matter what.
"If they don’t challenge for the title, I think he will get it right and challenge for the title next year. I don’t think there is any room for error from now until the end of the season: they can’t drop more points.
"But I still think they have the right guy in charge, so I don't think there should be any added pressure heaped on him. They are obviously not getting results right now, but I agree I do not think they played poorly against Arsenal."
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