Jose Mourinho has spoken on Arsenal and their English Premier League (EPL) title. The former Chelsea boss has played down the Gunners chances of winning the title this season. The Roma manager still feels Manchester City are the favourites to retain their crown
The Emirates side ended the weekend at the summit of the table after beating Brighton 2-0. Liverpool after playing out a goalless draw now sit one behind Arsenal. Like Liverpool, Aston Villa are also one point behind Mikel Arteta’s side. Meanwhile, Man City are now five points behind the Gunners after surrendering their two-goal at home to Crystal Palace.
Arsenal were also top with a five-point advantage over City this time last season, only for the treble winners to reel them in during the second half of the campaign to claim a third straight title.
Mourinho feels City’s incredible squad depth – enough to field two world-class XIs – will ultimately see them over the line once again, with Liverpool their nearest competition, though he would like to see Arsenal make it a three-horse race.
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Asked by former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel on his The Obi One Podcast who will win the Premier League, Mourinho replied: ‘Man City 51 [per cent] and Liverpool 49.’
When asked if league leaders Arsenal are in the conversation, Mourinho pulled a face and simply replied: ‘Na.’
Mikel burst out laughing at his old manager’s bluntness, saying: ‘The rivalry is still there!’
Mourinho continued: ‘But it is not the rivalry… it isn’t the right moment [for them].’
When Mikel suggested the north Londoners ‘always capitulate’, Mourinho replied: ‘Honestly, rivalry apart because I can do it, I would like them to win, I would like a third [team in the title race].
‘Of course Chelsea is not going to win it, that’s out of the question, so I don’t think about Chelsea.
‘Of course Manchester United is not going to win it, I don’t speak about Man United too, so it’s going to be these three and out of these three I would be happy for Arsenal to do it.
‘I would be really happy to [see them] break a little bit that thing, but I think it’s 51-49 [between City and Liverpool].
‘And I say 51-49 because when the accumulation of matches are coming, Man City has two teams!’
Manchester City are not in action again in the Premier League until December 27 due to their participation in the Club World Cup meaning either Arsenal or Liverpool can extend their advantage over the champions when they meet at Anfield next weekend.