Sergio Aguero has warned Arsenal that their inexperience could prove costly in the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side hold a five-point lead over Manchester City and also have a game in hand on their rivals, while Manchester United and Newcastle are 11 points adrift in third and fourth. The Gunners are also focused on the Premier League, having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
They have lost just once in 19 matches so far this season and have managed to maintain their incredible form following the break for the World Cup. Arsenal lost 1-0 to City in the FA Cup and still have to play them home and away in the league, starting at the Emirates Stadium on February 15.
Aguero won five Premier League titles with City and believes this season’s race is far from a foregone conclusion. “As things stand, it’s going to either Arsenal, City or United,” he told Stake.com. “Newcastle can’t be discounted either, they played a great first half of the tournament.”
Aguero drew a comparison with City’s famous title win in the 2011/12 when his dramatic late goal against QPR on the final day of the season saw them snatch the trophy from Manchester United. Having won four of the past five titles, City have experience on their side.
“As the leader, you can’t shake off the feeling that there’s a rival hot on your track, catching up to you,” Aguero added on Arsenal.
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“Arsenal’s team is younger and will have to deal with that pressure. They are solid today, they are decided, but we’ll have to watch until the final stretch. A good example is what happened to City in 2012, eight points below United, and we managed to lift up the trophy in the last leg.”
Unsurprisingly, Aguero is backing City to close the gap to Arsenal and make the season go down to the final game, on May 28. Pep Guardiola is aiming to win his fifth Premier League title and has the squad depth to do it, according to his former goal-getter.
“I wouldn’t go [as far to say] that Man City aren’t clicking. The Premier League is the most competitive league there is, and it’s perfectly normal to see the top contenders get reinforcements and go back to their historical standards,” Aguero said.
“It wouldn’t be long for Arsenal or United to get back into the fold. The two of them suffered the aftermath of two very successful cycles – Arsene Wenger ’s and Alex Ferguson’s – and now they’ve returned in force.
“City have won four out of the five last Premier Leagues. They’re still in the fight, and that needs to be recognised. Prowling from the second position, ready to strike – anything can happen.
“Over the last few years, City have known how to keep on the pulse of the Premier League. We can’t forget how our races with Liverpool over the last few years were decided by a razor-thin margin. City’s experience on this will play a big part.”
