Gael Clichy gives mixed verdict on Man City & Arsenal Premier League title chances

Gael Clichy seemed to back Manchester City to go on and win another Premier League title during his recent appearance on Sky Sports, but also said Arsenal would make ‘perfect champions’.

The Frenchman won the title with both City and Arsenal during his playing days, and one of his former sides looks set to end 2023/24 at the top of the table. It’s the Gunners who are currently top and a point clear of Pep Guardiola’s side, albeit the champions have a game in hand.

Clichy was a guest pundit on Sky Sports’ coverage of City’s 4-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday night, and said the Blues’ experience at winning titles could prove significant in the final weeks of the campaign.

“If you are there, five games to go, out of the Champions League, they [City] will know how to rest. That game against Nottingham Forest [on Sunday], it will not be the same as tonight, but this team know how to deal with that and that is why they are contenders,” opined the 38-year-old.

“The history and the past of what they’ve done over the last 10 years is the reason why they will deal with it. They know how to, champions know.

“For what they’ve done, you have to respect that work, you have to respect how after a treble season they are still in the race. We are talking about a team that could win four in a row. The fact they are here means business.”

But it’s not experience alone that will determine the destination of this title, claimed Clichy, who made 325 Premier League appearances during his distinguished career. While it’s City who are favourites to finish first, according to the former defender, he also feels Arsenal are ‘deserving’ of a first title in 20 years.

“It’s not to say they [City] are going to win it, but the players know and they have everything to go all the way,” said Clichy. “Arsenal, I have said it all year, is the most equipped team to go all the way and that’s what they are doing.

“They are ruthless, they are scoring goals, they don’t concede, but it’s still in Man City’s hands because they have a game in hand. We cannot argue against that. City are the favourites and Arsenal are doing extremely well and I hope they can put pressure.

“If they can get that fourth trophy in a row, that will bring them somewhere else. But I also think Arsenal is a team that deserves to go all the way because of what they did last year and because it’s fresh. You see young players with the right attitude, a young manager, and this is the way you want Arsenal playing. If Arsenal win, they would be a perfect champion.”