Gallas names Man City as only side truly competing with Arsenal
William Gallas believes the Premier League title race this season will come down to just two clubs, and Brighton are not one of them. The former Arsenal defender has dismissed the Seagulls' chances of sustaining a genuine title challenge, insisting Manchester City remain the Gunners' only real rival.
Arsenal have established themselves at the top of the table this season, backed up by a string of impressive results including a recent victory over Liverpool at Anfield. Mikel Arteta's side have shown they can grind out results in difficult away fixtures, while Liverpool and Manchester City have both struggled for the consistency usually expected of them.
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Brighton, meanwhile, have been one of the surprise packages of the campaign and currently sit among the closest challengers to Arsenal in the standings. Their form has drawn plenty of attention, but Gallas is sceptical they can keep it up over a full season.
Gallas questions Brighton's staying power
Speaking about the title picture, Gallas explained why he thinks the second half of the season will expose the gap between genuine contenders and surprise packages. He said, via the Metro:
'It will be very interesting to see if they (Brighton) can maintain that performance until the end of the season, but we know the second part is always the most difficult time for any club. Right now, it looks like only those two teams, Arsenal and Manchester City, are really going to fight for the title.'
Gallas's comments suggest he still views Manchester City as Arsenal's biggest threat, even though Pep Guardiola's side have not looked at their usual level so far this season. For Gallas, City's pedigree and squad depth mean they cannot be written off, regardless of their current form.
What it means for Arsenal
If Gallas's assessment proves accurate, Arsenal will need to focus on their own consistency rather than worrying about chasing down multiple rivals. Brighton's form has been eye catching, but sustaining a title push across a full campaign, particularly through the demanding winter schedule, is a different test altogether.
Arsenal have shown signs of the maturity required to go the distance this season, with away wins at difficult venues becoming something of a trademark under Arteta. Whether Manchester City can rediscover their best form in time to mount a serious challenge remains to be seen, but Gallas's view is clear: as things stand, it is a two horse race.
The coming months will go a long way to determining whether that prediction holds up, as Arsenal look to turn their current position into sustained pressure at the top of the table.
