Alan Pardew has named the team he believes will come roaring back to challenge Arsenal for the Premier League crown, and it’s the usual suspects: Manchester City.
The Gunners are flying high, four points clear at the top after their gritty 1–0 win over Crystal Palace. Arsenal lead the pack with 24 points, ahead of Bournemouth on 20 and City on 18, while Liverpool trail further behind.
But despite Arsenal’s early dominance, Pardew insists the champions are far from done.
“You can’t but fear Man City making a challenge,” Pardew told talkSPORT. “I think there’s a big challenge in them even though they lost at Aston Villa, I really do.”
The ex-Newcastle boss believes Pep Guardiola’s side have too much experience, class, and squad depth to stay quiet for long. Still, he admits their heavy dependence on goal machine Erling Haaland could become a concern.
“The only worry is if they’re too reliant on Haaland, who’s really on form but is still going to need others to pitch in,” he added.
Guardiola, however, isn’t panicking. The City boss is confident his side will claw their way back into the fight.
“We have to try to close [the gap],” Guardiola said. “Arsenal have been solid for many years. I’m concerned with how we can improve as a team and be close.”
Arsenal’s next big test comes on November 8 against Sunderland, a fixture pundit Paul Merson warns could trip them up. He’s tipped the Black Cats as a “potential stumbling block,” praising their “athleticism, pace, and organisation.”
For now, Arsenal hold the advantage. But as Pardew warns, don’t count out City, they’re wounded, angry, and coming for the crown.
