Man City vs Arsenal Draw, Guardiola: Now Liverpool are Favorites to Win

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Manchester City (Man City) coach Pep Guardiola admitted that Liverpool is now the favorite to win after Erling Haaland and his friends only played a goalless draw against Arsenal, Sunday (31/3/2024) at the Etihad Stadium.

In this week's 29th match, Man City appeared dominant by recording 73% of ball possession. However, they only produced one proper kick on goal and failed to score.

This draw meant that both teams failed to become leaders of the standings. The top position is currently occupied by Liverpool, who in the previous match beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 and collected 67 points.

Man City is in third place with 64 points. Arsenal is in second place with a collection of 65 points. After the match, Guardiola admitted that Liverpool were now the favorites to become champions this season.

This was their first 0-0 draw in the Premier League since March 2022 against Crystal Palace. This result also ended a run of 75 matches when they always produced goals.

The draw against Arsenal was also the first time they failed to score in a home match in the Premier League since the 0-2 defeat to Palace in October 2021. Their record of always scoring goals in 47 matches at the Etihad Stadium also ended.

When asked at a press conference whether Liverpool were now favorites to win the title, Guardiola replied, “Yes. The team that is first is always the favourite, second is Arsenal and we are third. Previously (determining the championship) was in our hands, not anymore.”

“All we can do is think about the match against Aston Villa (Wednesday). If you are at the top of the league – as we have been before – you are the favorites,” said the Spanish coach to Sky Sports.

In line with Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, also stated the same thing. “Many things can happen. Now we don't depend on ourselves. We depend on Liverpool and Arsenal now because we don't play against them anymore. So we hope they drop points,” said the player from Portugal.

Silva also emphasized that now their task has become increasingly difficult because they have to win all the remaining matches, while hoping that Liverpool or Arsenal slip up. According to him, Arsenal now looks different compared to when the two teams met last April.

“Today Arsenal is different, more experienced. They have young players who are now a year more experienced. They felt what it was like to play here last season and today they are much better,” said the player from Portugal.