Ashley Young has claimed that to be considered Premier League title favourites, Manchester City have to defeat one team.
Currently, City are favourites to win the league but it would be premature to suggest they have got the title wrapped up with as the race could go down to the last kick of the football this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side do not seem to be giving up on their pursuit to add a Premier League title to their trophy cabinet, having won the FA Cup and two Community Shield trophies during his tenure.
For a club of Arsenal’s stature and the quality their current team has, they would be dreaming of winning the league to prove to their doubters that Arteta’s project is truly something special.
But that would be easier said than done for Arteta’s side this campaign.
Usually, when Pep Guardiola’s men are in the lead in the title race, it seems like they end up playing their best football.
Ashley Young names the team City must beat to become title favourites
Jack Grealish recently revealed that his Manchester City teammates always discuss the importance of taking things one game at a time.
This mentality is reflected on the pitch as the City cohort seem cool, calm and collected during the final stretch of the season.
Regardless of the team they are facing, the Sky Blues seem unfazed; a mentality that might stem from Guardiola and the senior players’ winning experience.
With that in mind, Grealish and Co. will likely not be overjoyed by the position they find themselves in the league table as things can change in football at the drop of a hat.
To suggest that the task of the Sky Blues being invincible in their remaining three league games is simple would be a case of underestimating the quality of the teams in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola certainly will not have his feet up behind closed doors.
According to Ashley Young, if Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur, however, they will become title favourites.
“It’s exciting for them two teams. I think if City win their game in hand, possibly, then it’s theirs to throw away but equally, they’ve both got tough games”, he said on Sky Sports.
“Arsenal have got Everton on the last day of the season so that’s a really tough game.”
The Everton defender was also quizzed about whether Manchester City or Arsenal deserve to win the title this season.
“To be honest, I think they’ve both been extremely good this season. I wouldn’t put it on one team, I’d actually sit on the fence and say it’s anyone’s to take. Obviously, Arsenal, with how things went last season, they obviously want to win that title, they want to win it but City want to make history and make it four [titles in a row] again.”
Much like Ashley Young, Micah Richards also stated that beating Tottenham is the most key task for Manchester City as he thinks Ange Postecoglou’s side are capable of causing an upset.
Manchester City should focus on Fulham instead of Spurs
In our view, Ashley Young is spot on because Tottenham could pose the hardest test for this Manchester City side in the title run-in.
But City’s focus should not stray away from their upcoming clash against Fulham to Spurs or even the FA Cup final, as the Cottagers play a style of football that can be troubling for any team in the league.
Marco Silva’s side can mix their game up, dominating possession in certain spells of the game and also causing teams problems on the counter, through Alex Iwobi’s creativity, Antonee Robinson’s delivery and Rodrigo Muniz’s finishing.
Only if City beat Fulham will they approach their game against Spurs with the utmost confidence to get the all-important three points.