Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has expressed a preference for Arsenal to win the Premier League title over Manchester City and Liverpool this season.
Following the acquisition of a 27.7% stake in Manchester United by Ratcliffe and INEOS in February, Ratcliffe took over the football operations from the Glazer family.
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As a British billionaire, Ratcliffe’s ambition is to restore Manchester United to its former glory, a feat not achieved since Sir Alex Ferguson retired 11 years ago.
However, the challenge is formidable, with a narrow gap separating the top three teams—Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City—by just one point, and only 10 games remaining in the season. This has made the title race the tightest in recent memory.
Manchester City, having secured five of the last six titles, and Liverpool, the 2019-20 champions, are both contenders, with Liverpool aiming to bid farewell to their outgoing manager, Jurgen Klopp, on a high note.
Arsenal is determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s collapse that cost them the title.
During an appearance on the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast, Ratcliffe was hesitant to declare a clear favorite, stating his aversion to all the contenders.
However, upon being pressed by INEOS cyclist and Arsenal supporter Thomas, Ratcliffe acknowledged that it would be gratifying to witness Mikel Arteta lead Arsenal to victory, commending the club’s longstanding support for their manager.
Asked to pick a league title winner, Ratcliffe said, ‘I hate them all! We have got Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal haven’t you. I don’t know, they are all the enemy, I couldn’t possibly choose one.
‘It would be good for Arteta actually, he has done really well there. Arsenal have been patient with him which is nice as well.’
Mikel Arteta assumed the role of Arsenal manager after Unai Emery left in December 2019, and he secured the FA Cup in his inaugural season.
Under Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal ended up in eighth place for two consecutive seasons, then improved to fifth in the 2021-22 season, setting the stage for a robust title challenge in the following year.
