Micah Richards has ruled out Liverpool’s chances in this year’s title race and supported Pep Guardiola to win his sixth Premier League championship with Manchester City.
Arsenal, at the top of the table, are ahead of Liverpool in second place by goal difference with ten games left in the season, while defending champions City are one point behind in third.
Last year’s treble winners will face Arsenal at the Etihad this weekend in a crucial match for the season, while Liverpool will host Brighton.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are currently on an impressive eight-game winning streak in the top flight and will no doubt be encouraged by their win over City in the reverse fixture in October., when Gabriel Martinelli scored late to secure the three points.
Injuries to John Stones and Kyle Walker have posed a threat to City’s preparation for Sunday’s match. However, Guardiola confirmed in his pre-match press conference that both Ederson and Manuel Akanji should be fit to play. Arsenal are also concerned about the fitness of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Magalhaes, who
were all apparently absent from training on Friday. Discussing the weekend’s action on The Rest Is Football podcast, former City defender Richards – who grew up supporting Arsenal – stated that the Gunners would likely need to win at the Etihad to keep their title hopes alive..
Richards dismissed the idea of Liverpool winning the Premier League this season.
Manchester City … I think Manchester City will win the league. or Arsenal‘It depends what happens on Sunday. If Arsenal go to the Etihad and win…
‘I think Arsenal have to win, I think they have to win. Manchester City’s record is incredible.
Champions City will host league leaders Arsenal this weekend.
‘I just feel with Arsenal… remember last season when they had that opportunity and they had a few wobbles around this time last season and they could go to Man City, win that game and put a cat amongst the pigeons. And Man City just walked over them.
‘This is a massive, massive day and if Arsenal can win, they can win the league.’
Richards has dismissed Liverpool’s title chances.
‘I want Arsenal to do really well, just from the team and Arteta’s point of view and how far they have come as a young team,’ he added.
‘But Pep and his greatness… I want to see him win as much as possible so I want Manchester City to win.’
The former England international added: ‘City have won everything and that’s what I mean by greatness with Pep Guardiola. He’s set the standard, that’s what the standard is.
'Discussing Sunday, I hope Manchester City wins as many games as possible so we can reflect and say, 'Wow, we're witnessing this greatness!'
'And if it weren't for Pep, it would have all been Liverpool. That's how exceptional Pep is as a manager and the team he has assembled.'
The former City defender has completely rejected the title hopes of a certain team.
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