Arsene Wenger has effectively admitted that Arsenal are playing catch-up if they want to compete for the Premier League title this season.
While they’re hardly perennial title winners, this is not a situation the Gunners are used to. In fact, it’s quite the reverse. Arsenal are usually the ones setting the pace, only to tail off after the New Year.
Manchester City, this time, have taken the league by storm under Pep Guardiola. Leading Arsenal already by five points, the Citizens will be looking to widen the gap again this weekend when they face Swansea. Wenger’s men have the far less attractive proposition of Chelsea at home.
“I would prefer to be five points ahead,” the Frenchman told the Independent.
“At the moment, Manchester City are the better team as well as the most consistent. We have to play catch up a little bit, but hopefully we can do that.”
It’s not inconceivable that City won’t hold onto their lead, as they won their first five games last season as well, only to finish fourth.
Wenger’s honesty is refreshing, but it won’t please many Arsenal fans unless he resolves to do something about it – starting with that all-important victory against Chelsea.
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