Michael Owen has admitted he had doubts before the season but now believes Manchester City can challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title, insisting Arsenal remain the 'team to beat'.
Owen's change of heart
The former Liverpool striker had been clear in his belief that the loss of Pep Guardiola and key players such as Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones would hamper City's title hopes this season. But after City's 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Owen has changed his tune.
'I've been really impressed with them,' Owen told Metro. 'I did have my doubts pre-season, absolutely.'
Owen acknowledged the scale of City's losses, saying: 'You're losing two of the most influential people in football, Guardiola and Rodri, and then to lose 20-something medals out of the dressing room with Bernardo Silva, John Stones and others.'
City's continuity praised
Owen also praised City's decision to appoint Enzo Maresca, calling it a 'masterstroke' to go with continuity. 'He went to other clubs, but he'd been at the club before; he was there, a few of the players will know him, he knows the club and knows the tactics and everything else like that,' Owen said.
While Owen still favours Arsenal, former teammate Steven Gerrard has changed his mind completely and now believes City are title favourites. 'Before a ball was kicked, I fancied Arsenal to just carry on, but now, what are we, six, seven games in, I'd put my money on Manchester City,' Gerrard said on The Overlap, sponsored by Sky Bet.
Defending champions Arsenal have won five of their first six league games but trail league leaders City, who have made a perfect start to the campaign.
