Sergio Aguero admits he isn’t convinced by Manchester City’s recent surge and is refusing to write Arsenal off in the race to win the Premier League title.
The Gunners hold a five point advantage at the top of the table following Sunday’s emphatic 4-1 north London derby victory against Tottenham.
City, however, have a game in hand and appear to be in the process of building momentum at the business end of the season.
Saturday night’s win over Newcastle was greeted with unusually passionate celebrations by Erling Haaland and Pep Gaurdiola who will know how ominous the sight of the City juggernaut building up a head of steam will be to Arsenal.
Aguero, winner of five Premier League titles during his time at City, fears his old side face a difficult task to overhaul the current leaders who are made of sterner stuff that the sides that have finished runners-up in each of the last three seasons.
He told : https://stake.com/: ‘It’s not a question of a weak mentality. Not now, at least, when the team has a very complete, balanced squad with much more experience than in the recent past.
‘They’ve been through this before and narrowly missed out. And today you can see that they have a stronger mentality. The young players have grown up, they’ve brought in some very good players, and it shows.
‘[Gyokeres] had an initial period of adjustment, but in recent months he has found his best form and rediscovered his scoring touch. He is a very complete and powerful striker.
‘Arteta has proven himself to be a great manager. He has built a solid team that knows how to play and is now always in contention for the title. Let’s remember how many years it has been since Arsenal won the Premier League.
‘And how close they have come to doing so in recent years. I think if you ask Arsenal fans, they will want Arteta to stay at the club for a long time to come.’
The meeting between the two teams at the Etihad, scheduled to take place in mid April, could yet prove decisive and Aguero knows his old side will fight until the end.
He added: ‘It’s important because it sends a signal to the team at the top that they can’t relax and that they’re being hot on their heels. It’s not the same playing with a big lead as it is with a smaller one. We’ve seen that in recent years. City never gives up.
‘They keep up the pressure on the teams above them. And they’ve often come from behind to win the title at the end of the season.
‘City has been very consistent in recent years. Always fighting at the top and winning titles.
‘There has been a significant changeover, with key players such as Kevin and Gundo leaving, but once the new players settled in, the team responded. And it’s difficult to always be in the fight.
‘How can you not feel threatened by a team that never stops fighting and has also managed to win the Premier League in recent times?
‘It’s important to remember that match against Arsenal at the Etihad. It’s a good opportunity to take points off them and close the gap. But first there are the previous matches. It would be pointless if we don’t beat the teams ahead of us. It’s one step at a time.
‘That’s how it was done in the past and that’s how it should be done now. Pep has a lot of experience in these end-of-season scenarios and I think he’ll be able to convey that to the players.’