In a surprising turn of events, AS Roma and former Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho has expressed his desire for Arsenal to clinch the Premier League title this season. However, he was quick to admit that they are not the favourites in this race.
The Gunners' recent 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion saw Mikel Arteta's side reclaim their position as league leaders. This came after both Manchester City and Liverpool dropped points in their respective matches. With a challenging trip to Anfield on the horizon, the north Londoners are poised to top at Christmas for two consecutive seasons.
This resurgence under Arteta is noteworthy as it brings hope of a first Premier League title at the Emirates Stadium since 2004. The team’s consistent performance is indeed pointing towards this possibility.
Jose Mourinho, AS Roma manager, said:
"I would say Man City 51 [percent] and Liverpool 49 [percent], Rivalry apart, I would like them to win. Of course, Chelsea is not going to win. It is out of the question. Manchester United is not going to win it too. So it is between these three and out of these three I would like Arsenal to win it.
"But 51, 49. And I say 51, 49 because when the accumulation of matches are coming Man City has two teams."
Manchester City might be trailing in the table right now, but they're used to coming back and winning titles
Despite these positive signs, there remain ongoing question marks over Liverpool's chances of securing another title win. Additionally, Manchester City’s recent form - winning just once in five games - has raised doubts about their ability to defend their crown effectively.
These uncertainties have led some fans and pundits alike to speculate about an unexpected champion emerging from this season’s competition.
However, despite his personal preference for an Arsenal win, Mourinho predicts that Manchester City will be crowned champions once again. The experienced coach who won three Premier Leagues with Chelsea believes that Pep Guardiola’s side still holds an edge over other contenders due to their depth and experience in handling high-pressure situations.
While it remains uncertain who will ultimately lift the trophy come May 2022, one thing is clear: football fans around the world can expect an exciting race filled with twists and turns until then
