Michael Owen, the former England and Liverpool forward, has stirred the debate on Arsenal’s status in the Premier League pecking order, asserting that they are the “third-best team” despite their current position as frontrunners in the title race. This comes after the Gunners, who have been in sparkling form, saw their impressive ten-match winning streak snapped by a resilient Sunderland side, who held them to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light this past weekend.
Presently perched at the summit of the league table, Arsenal have a slender four-point advantage over their closest challengers, Manchester City, and have extended an eight-point cushion over reigning champions Liverpool, who are languishing in eighth position. Despite this strong showing early in the season, Owen remains unconvinced about Arsenal’s supremacy in the league hierarchy.
In the latest episode of Premier League Productions, Owen lauded Arsenal’s robust defence, highlighting their solid goalkeeper and disciplined back-four. “They play to their strengths and don’t concede many goals,” Owen remarked, acknowledging the determination shown by Sunderland in breaching such a defensive unit twice.
When prompted on Arsenal’s prospects for lifting the title this season, Owen responded cautiously, acknowledging their status as favourites but emphasizing the pressure that comes with leading the charge. He posited that if all top teams were at their peak performance, Arsenal might still fall behind Liverpool and Manchester City. “Liverpool can blow anyone off the pitch and so can Man City,” Owen added, drawing a comparison between the two powerhouses and Arsenal, whose resilience could serve them well over the campaign.
Interestingly, Jamie Carragher, Owen’s contemporary and fellow analyst, holds a contrasting view. Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher argued that Arsenal are currently the best team he has seen this season, albeit with a caveat of potential nerves given Manchester City’s notorious ability to chase down leads. Reflecting on previous seasons where City have overshadowed Arsenal’s title aspirations, Carragher acknowledged the psychological burden that might weigh on the Gunners’ shoulders.
As Arsenal navigate through the pressures of title contention, contrasting opinions from seasoned pundits like Owen and Carragher underscore the exhilarating unpredictability of the Premier League. The Gunners, demonstrating a blend of defensive stability and efficient gameplay, might yet surprise their detractors by maintaining their position at the league’s zenith as the season unfolds.