Richard Keys hits out at Arsenal allegations as new Premier League title prediction dropped
Man City and Aston Villa will be hoping to take advantage as Arsenal failed to secure all three points against Liverpool on Thursday.
Bukayo Saka was Arsenal’s most dangerous player, but the main talking points were anything but the chances created at the Emirates Stadium on 8 January, especially after a goalless draw.
Despite moving up to fourth in the Premier League title, Arne Slot remains under pressure at Anfield, and the manager proved himself when frustrating the current league leaders in North London.
After Man City drew with Brighton, and Villa dropped points to Crystal Palace, the Gunners have been accused of the same against the Reds, missing several chances to go ahead.
Liverpool could have even won the game when Jeremie Frimpong went down in the penalty area, but it was not to be for either team, and Richard Keys does not believe this is as big a blow as many believe.
Arsenal accused of ‘dropping points’ vs Liverpool
With Pep Guardiola‘s side drawing three consecutive games, the Gunners had the chance to go eight points clear at the top of the table, but for now, it remains a six-point gap.
Taking to X (9 January), Keys wrote: “I don’t agree Arsenal ‘missed’ the chance to go eight points clear. You can’t ‘expect’ to beat a side of Liverpool’s quality.
“It’s a good point in a week when [Man City] and [Aston] Villa also drew games. I still believe Arsenal will win it.”
The Citizens have been in this position before, often coming from interesting positions to get their hands on the Premier League title, but the chances of that happening are dwindling with each game.
What did Mikel Arteta make of his side’s draw?
Arteta is never going to dig out his own players, but he did admit that the Gunners missed a “magic moment” to claim all three points in a huge top-of-the-table clash.
The Spaniard remains positive, however, saying, “We’ve come from a very demanding schedule. The last six games that we’ve played in this Christmas period, and we’ve come out of that in a really strong position.”
Their schedule gets no easier, with four games in the next 11 days, facing Portsmouth in the FA Cup, Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, and then Inter Milan.
Winning the Champions League will also be amongst the team’s targets this season, having not won a single piece of silverware since 2019-20, and the manager is under pressure to fill the trophy cabinet.