Steven Gerrard believes Arsenal will retain the Premier League trophy but says three other teams will also ‘pull away’ at the top of the table.
The reigning champions reclaimed their position at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday. Previous leaders Manchester City suffered another surprising defeat, losing 1-0 at home to Brighton, and Arsenal took full advantage with a narrow win at Anfield thanks to Kai Havertz’s first-half goal.
Gerrard backs Arsenal for the title
It was another performance from Arsenal that convinced Gerrard that the Premier League trophy will be heading back to the Emirates Stadium after Mikel Arteta ended the club’s 22-year wait last season.
But Gerrard believes three other clubs – Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea – will also ‘pull away’ from their Premier League rivals and could all challenge Arsenal for the title.
‘Credit to Arsenal because that’s how you win leagues, going to places like Liverpool, being strong, sticking together, and putting in a different type of performance,’ Gerrard told The Overlap Daily, sponsored by Sky Bet.
‘It was full of grit and fight and togetherness, and they got over the line. And they will know that come the end of the season, if they win the league, which I think they will, I haven’t changed my mind from the beginning of the season, they will look back at that more than your four or five-nils where they look fantastic, because I’m sure they will at times.
‘They’ll look at that and think, we went to Anfield, tough crowd to play against, tough Liverpool performance, Andoni Iraola’s got this Liverpool team playing an awful lot better, Liverpool played well and we managed to get out of there with three points.
‘So it could be huge for Arsenal. At this moment in time, nine points behind for Liverpool. So, Liverpool have got work to do if they want to challenge.
‘But this Arsenal team just look as if they can beat teams in different ways. I think that could be the difference.’
Brighton’s top-four prospects
Brighton are third in the Premier League after a memorable win at Manchester City and Gerrard believes Fabian Hurzeler’s side can challenge for a top-four place if not the title.
‘I’m going to put my neck on the line and say that I think they will fall away from that, but that’s not a criticism, because I think they’re a top team with a top manager,’ Gerrard added.
‘I just think to go the distance over the course, I think the stronger teams in the league will pull away a bit, but I certainly think they’re top four contenders and the most dangerous team in the league at the moment to play, because they’re playing without fear.
‘Everyone knows their job in the team, in and out of possession. They’ve improved a lot, I would say, from a defensive point of view. And they’ve got so many dangerous players, people that are comfortable on the ball.
‘They’re fantastic to watch. I think Brighton are more of a threat for the top-four chasers because I think they’re going to push for Champions League places.
‘Over the course, you’re faced with so many different challenges in the Premier League. And I just think where Arsenal’s squad is, and City’s, the Liverpool squad, I just think over the course of the 38 games, the three teams, and Chelsea, when you look at Chelsea in the second half there, I think them teams will pull away a bit over the course.
‘But I think they’re going to push and I think they’re going to go for it and I’m really interested to see how hard they can push. They’re not a title contender, in my opinion.’
