"They are going": Micah Richards makes Premier League title claim after Arsenal loss vs Southampton

Former England defender Micah Richards has said that Arsenal could face a tough challenge from Manchester City for the Premier League title.

The Gunners suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Man City in the Carabao Cup final before the international break.

There was another setback on Saturday as a rotated Arsenal side suffered a shock FA Cup quarter-final exit to Southampton.

David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were among the regular starters who did not feature during the 2-1 loss at St Mary’s.

Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres, Riccardo Calafiori, William Saliba and Martin Zubimendi were only substitutes against the South Coast outfit.

The Gunners were defensively poor throughout the game and paid the price as the Saints scored a late winner in the 85th minute.

Speaking after the FA Cup exit, Richards said that Arsenal are feeling the pressure at the moment after back-to-back Cup defeats.

He believes Man City are going to push the Gunners all the way for the league title after their dominating display (4-0) over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final.

Richards said on BBC One: “It was only a couple of weeks ago people were saying Arsenal could do the quadruple, Now they are in two competitions.

“Man City, after what they did earlier on, look like they are going to push them all the way for the league and the Champions League – anyone can win that.”

Arsenal must get back to winning ways

The Gunners were poor in the second half of the Carabao Cup final loss. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goalkeeping error contributed to Man City breaking the deadlock shortly after the hour mark.

Against the Saints, manager Mikel Arteta decided to ring in the changes. There was a new-look backline of Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Both White and Lewis-Skelly were caught out of position multiple times, and we fully expect the duo to be dropped to the bench against Sporting CP.

Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori should take their places. Saliba should also partner Gabriel in the heart of the defence, with Mosquera moving out.

Arsenal have suffered two disappointing losses. They must return to winning ways during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Sporting CP on Tuesday night.

A victory would be a huge boost for the Gunners before the Premier League clash against a tricky Bournemouth side at the Emirates Stadium next weekend.

Arsenal currently have a nine-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the league table, but the Cityzens have a game in hand against Crystal Palace at home.

Still, Arteta’s side have a handy advantage and a superior goal difference. The onus is on the Gunners to prove their title credentials with a win over Andoni Iraola’s side.

Man City face Chelsea on the road on Sunday. A victory for the Gunners would put them 12 points ahead at the top before Pep Guardiola’s side face the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

The post "They are going": Micah Richards makes Premier League title claim after Arsenal loss vs Southampton first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.