Jamie Redknapp forecasts that if Arsenal triumphs in the upcoming North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday, they are poised to secure victories in all their subsequent matches.
However, the ex-Liverpool and Tottenham player expresses uncertainty about Arsenal’s ability to overtake Manchester City in the race for the Premier League crown, even with a derby win.
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Manchester City closed the gap to Arsenal to just one point following their emphatic 4-0 victory over Brighton on Thursday night. Significantly, City holds an advantage with a game in hand against their title adversaries.
Following Liverpool’s loss in the Merseyside derby, the consensus is that the title contest has narrowed down to a duel between the Citizens and the Gunners. Nonetheless, Pep Guardiola maintains that Liverpool is still in contention.
Tottenham’s role in determining the title outcome is undeniable, as they are yet to face all three championship aspirants, beginning with their fierce rivals, Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side cannot afford to drop points but Redknapp believes that win against Spurs will put Arsenal on course for a flawless finish to the season, saying on Sky Sports: ‘Tottenham have a massive part to play don’t they?
‘They’ve obviously going to play Arsenal on Sunday which is going to be a huge game. We’ve only got to look at what happened yesterday… with derby matches anything is possible.
‘If Arsenal can navigate that one and get three points, I think they win all their games. Then it’s just a question of if Manchester City were to just slip up once and by slipping up I mean a draw. Then it’ll be Arsenal’s title.
‘Tottenham have got a home game against Manchester City as well. They’ve got a good record against them.
‘Man City are rightly favourites. I’ve not always agreed with the Opta stats, but they are rightly favourites because they’ve got the history, they know how to do it.
Arsenal’s remaining matches
April 28 – Tottenham (away) – PL
May 4 – Bournemouth (home) – PL
May 12 – Manchester United (away) – PL
May 19 – Everton (home) – PL
Man City’s remaining matches
April 28 – Nottingham Forest (away) – PL
May 4 – Wolves (home) – PL
May 11 – Fulham (away) – PL
May 14 – Tottenham (away) – PL
May 19 – West Ham (home) – PL
‘But I do believe that Arsenal are going to keep them so honest I really do. But I just point to the Tottenham game on Sunday because that’s the big one for me. If they win that, Arsenal win the rest of their games.’
Gael Clichy agreed that the two Spurs games would decide the title, with the former Arsenal & Man City star adding: ‘Tottenham can really change the course of the race. If Arsenal goes and wins away this puts pressure on City.
‘But I don’t see City dropping points against [Nottingham] Forest, against Wolverhampton, against Fulham, but I see them struggling against Tottenham.
‘So Tottenham will have a massive say the title race but again that first game, Arsenal against Tottenham will be will be the big one.’
