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Former Premier League star Danny Murphy has stated that Arsenal holds a significant advantage over Manchester City in the Premier League title race this season.

The Gunners secured their fifth consecutive league victory over the weekend, with Declan Rice scoring two goals to lead them to a 3-2 away win against Bournemouth in a challenging and competitive match.

Mikel Arteta’s squad now enjoys a six-point lead at the top of the league, following Manchester City's draw with Chelsea, where Enzo Fernandez scored an equalizer in the dying minutes of the match at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal has finished in second place in the league for the past three years, but they now find themselves in an excellent position to finally end that streak and claim their first championship since 2004.

The team's strong home performances have earned them numerous points, and they also boast the best away record in the league.

Arteta’s side is set to face City at the Etihad Stadium in April, and that match could significantly influence the title race.

On the flip side, Guardiola’s team still has to navigate tough away fixtures against Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea in the latter half of the season.

Murphy believes that City’s challenging schedule will provide Arsenal with an edge in the title race.

“You can argue that City has a wealth of talented players and depth, but at this moment, I would be surprised if Arsenal were to falter,” he told talkSPORT.

“Arsenal has faced many top teams away from home; only City remains.”

Regarding Guardiola’s side, Murphy expressed additional concerns, stating, “When I watch City, even during the match against Chelsea, they display remarkable skills, yet there seem to be vulnerabilities throughout the field.

“They have been performing well recently, so they cannot be overlooked, but defensively, there are opportunities to exploit. Unlike them, Arsenal rarely concedes chances; they have the strongest defense.”

Murphy believes that Arsenal’s robust defense and depth will be among their greatest assets as the season progresses.

“Madueke was very active in the first half against Bournemouth, making a significant impact and causing problems for the opposition. Obviously, Saka will start ahead of him, but this gives the manager the option to consider, ‘perhaps I can rest Saka occasionally; he doesn’t need to play every match.’

“And suddenly on the left, who is his first choice now? Eze has netted three goals against Tottenham in the past month, yet he hasn't seen any minutes in recent games. This is the strongest team.”

Meanwhile, City will aim to apply pressure on Arsenal by securing a victory against Brighton on Wednesday night.

Arsenal faces a formidable challenge at home against the defending champions, Liverpool, on Thursday.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Arsenal's current position in the Premier League?

Arsenal is currently at the top of the Premier League table, enjoying a six-point lead over Manchester City.

How has Arsenal performed recently?

Arsenal has achieved five consecutive victories in the league, showcasing strong performances both at home and away.

What upcoming matches could impact the title race?

Arsenal will face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in April, which could be a pivotal match for the title race. Additionally, City has challenging away games against other top teams.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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