Ake: Arsenal still have edge over Man City in Premier League title race

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake believes Arsenal remain favourites to win the Premier League title despite his side moving top of the table on Wednesday.

Reigning champions City defeated Arsenal 3-1 at Emirates Stadium to overtake their opponents at the summit for the first time since November.

Pep Guardiola’s side trailed the Gunners by eight points less than a month ago, but a return to form – coinciding with a wobble from Arsenal – has seen that margin evaporate.

While City are top by virtue of a superior goal difference, Arsenal still have a game in hand and travel to the Etihad Stadium for another blockbuster fixture in April.

Asked if City are now favourites to finish above Arsenal, Ake said: “No. They still have a game in hand so they still have three points on us. We don’t want to get carried away.

“We will keep doing what we are doing, go game by game and take it from there.

“We knew beforehand it was going to be a very big game and we just wanted to win the game and get the three points and we did.”

Great fight from the team to pickup the 3 points at the Emirates! Let’s keep it going @ManCity pic.twitter.com/6a2TzqX7B5

— Nathan Aké (@NathanAke) February 15, 2023

City’s victory was their 11th in a row against Arsenal in the league, with Guardiola having now won eight of his nine meetings with Mikel Arteta in all competitions.

Second-half goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland earned the win for City after Bukayo Saka’s penalty had cancelled out Kevin De Bruyne’s opener.

City’s quality ultimately told as they look to add to the four titles won in the past five seasons, success that Ake feels will stand them in good stead.

“We know there is still a long way to go. They have a game in hand but for us it is good to come to a tough place like this and get the win – that is important,” the Netherlands international said.

“It’s small margins. It was so tight and both teams can create something out of nothing. We still have a long way to go but we do have that [title-winning] experience.”