Rio Ferdinand thinks Manchester City should now view Arsenal as ‘the real deal’Photo by Joe
RIO FERDINAND THINKS MANCHESTER CITY SHOULD NOW VIEW ARSENAL AS ‘THE REAL DEAL’
Rio Ferdinand believes that Manchester City should now view Arsenal as the ‘real deal’ after grinding out another win against Luton Town.
Arsenal went through a real battle against Luton but eventually came out on top with a dramatic 4-3 victory at Kenilworth Road.
The Gunners twice took the lead, then went 3-2 down before Kai Havertz and Declan Rice scored to hand Arsenal all three points.
It looked like Arsenal were about to slip up but Rice sparked wild celebrations with his late header.
Rio Ferdinand comments on Arsenal beating Luton Town
Arsenal’s win felt even more important just 24 hours later as Manchester City fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta’s men are already six points clear of City and excitement is building around the Gunners.
What will City think of Arsenal?
City were in a similar position last season but managed to overhaul the Gunners and claim the Premier League title.
Something seems different about Arsenal this season though; they are really grinding out difficult wins and showing the winning mentality needed to get over the line.
Rio Ferdinand feels that City will be worried now, believing that they should think Arsenal are the ‘real deal’ after that late win against Luton.
Ferdinand believes that Arsenal aren’t actually as impressive as last season but are managing to win games, branding them ‘relentless’ as they battle for the title.
“I don’t actually think they’ve got to the level that they played at last season yet, performance-wise,” said Ferdinand. “But look where they are, so they ain’t even playing particularly well, or as well as we’ve seen them, consistently, and they’re still top of the league.”
“They’re a problem. They’re going to be a problem. If I’m City, I’m looking at them and thinking ‘this is the real deal, we’re going to have to go to the wire again, we can’t afford to be dropping points at Villa the way we did, because these guys look like they are going to be relentless again’. I think Liverpool could push themselves in there somewhere, but I just think they’re going to be a bit off. I said at the beginning of the season that City will win the league… I ain’t as convinced now. I still think City will win it, but I would not be surprised if Arsenal go and win it,” he added.
Luton Town v Arsenal FC – Premier League
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Manchester City struggles coming as Arsenal show growth
This is the worst of both worlds for City right now.
City just aren’t at their best right now and lost yet again with Rodri out of the side.
City seem to really struggle without Rodri and they were absolutely dominated by Villa on Wednesday night.
That’s now four games without a win for City and this period of strange form comes just as Arsenal grind out results.
Late wins at Brentford and Luton have shown Arsenal’s winning mentality, proving that they can secure victories even when not playing at their fluent best.
City need to figure things out ahead of the festive period, as Arsenal could be out of sight very soon based on current form.
Rio Ferdinand thinks Manchester City should now view Arsenal as ‘the real deal’Photo by Joe
RIO FERDINAND THINKS MANCHESTER CITY SHOULD NOW VIEW ARSENAL AS ‘THE REAL DEAL’
Rio Ferdinand believes that Manchester City should now view Arsenal as the ‘real deal’ after grinding out another win against Luton Town.
Arsenal went through a real battle against Luton but eventually came out on top with a dramatic 4-3 victory at Kenilworth Road.
The Gunners twice took the lead, then went 3-2 down before Kai Havertz and Declan Rice scored to hand Arsenal all three points.
It looked like Arsenal were about to slip up but Rice sparked wild celebrations with his late header.
Rio Ferdinand comments on Arsenal beating Luton Town
Arsenal’s win felt even more important just 24 hours later as Manchester City fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta’s men are already six points clear of City and excitement is building around the Gunners.
What will City think of Arsenal?
City were in a similar position last season but managed to overhaul the Gunners and claim the Premier League title.
Something seems different about Arsenal this season though; they are really grinding out difficult wins and showing the winning mentality needed to get over the line.
Rio Ferdinand feels that City will be worried now, believing that they should think Arsenal are the ‘real deal’ after that late win against Luton.
Ferdinand believes that Arsenal aren’t actually as impressive as last season but are managing to win games, branding them ‘relentless’ as they battle for the title.
“I don’t actually think they’ve got to the level that they played at last season yet, performance-wise,” said Ferdinand. “But look where they are, so they ain’t even playing particularly well, or as well as we’ve seen them, consistently, and they’re still top of the league.”
“They’re a problem. They’re going to be a problem. If I’m City, I’m looking at them and thinking ‘this is the real deal, we’re going to have to go to the wire again, we can’t afford to be dropping points at Villa the way we did, because these guys look like they are going to be relentless again’. I think Liverpool could push themselves in there somewhere, but I just think they’re going to be a bit off. I said at the beginning of the season that City will win the league… I ain’t as convinced now. I still think City will win it, but I would not be surprised if Arsenal go and win it,” he added.
Luton Town v Arsenal FC – Premier League
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Manchester City struggles coming as Arsenal show growth
This is the worst of both worlds for City right now.
City just aren’t at their best right now and lost yet again with Rodri out of the side.
City seem to really struggle without Rodri and they were absolutely dominated by Villa on Wednesday night.
That’s now four games without a win for City and this period of strange form comes just as Arsenal grind out results.
Late wins at Brentford and Luton have shown Arsenal’s winning mentality, proving that they can secure victories even when not playing at their fluent best.
City need to figure things out ahead of the festive period, as Arsenal could be out of sight very soon based on current form.