Liverpool icon John Barnes has expressed skepticism regarding Arsenal’s status as serious contenders for the Premier League title this season. Instead, he maintains that the race for the trophy is primarily between Manchester City and Liverpool.
Despite Mikel Arteta’s team’s impressive form, highlighted by a resounding 5-0 victory over Burnley propelling them to second place in the league standings, Barnes remains unconvinced. Arsenal’s recent dominance, including a 6-0 triumph over West Ham, fails to sway Barnes due to their inability to secure crucial victories in the latter stages of previous seasons.
In an interview with Premier League Productions, Barnes emphasized City’s status as favorites, with Liverpool following closely behind as second favorites.
Arsenal found themselves in a stronger position last year, but as the Premier League season unfolds, the crucial period for assessing contenders typically emerges in March and April. Teams like Aston Villa and Tottenham, who seemed like strong contenders just six weeks ago, now face scrutiny as the competition intensifies.
As the season progresses into late February and March, the ability to secure results becomes paramount. Manchester City’s dominance in this regard makes them formidable contenders. Liverpool, on the other hand, have demonstrated resilience, often securing wins even when not playing at their best.
In Barnes’ view, Arsenal’s success hinges heavily on their performance. While they may be performing well currently, their dependency on strong performances for victories suggests they may falter if they do not meet their standards. Therefore, despite their current form, Barnes still considers the title race primarily between Manchester City and Liverpool.
The pressure remains high at the top, with Liverpool maintaining a two-point lead after a convincing 4-1 win over Brentford. Meanwhile, Manchester City faced a setback, drawing 1-1 with Chelsea at the Etihad.