Kyle Walker reveals ‘hardest’ team to face despite Arsenal’s title charge

Arsenal may be nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table, but Manchester City legend Kyle Walker believes his former club remains the toughest team to face this season.

The Burnley defender, who won six Premier League titles during his time at the Etihad Stadium, praised Arsenal’s deadly set-piece threat while insisting City are still ‘harder’ to play against despite trailing significantly in the title race.

Arsenal’s set-piece dominance creates ‘horrific’ challenge

Walker was full of praise for Arsenal’s aerial threat, describing the experience of defending against the Gunners’ corners and free-kicks as ‘horrific’.

“The movement is just not normal in football. You’re constantly looking over your back, when you’re seeing Gabriel or [William] Saliba, these big six-foot-four men running at you,” Walker told Sky Bet.

The 35-year-old recalled a specific incident from his City days where he was tasked with marking Gabriel, only to be caught out by Arsenal’s clever movement. Despite acknowledging the difficulty of defending Arsenal’s set-pieces, Walker defended the north London side’s approach against recent criticism.

“It’s allowed in football. If you get a corner, you have to take a corner, and if you score from a corner, well done,” he said.

City still the benchmark despite title deficit

When directly asked whether Arsenal have become harder to face than Manchester City this season, Walker was emphatic in his response.

“No, Arsenal are not harder to play against this season compared to Manchester City,” Walker stated.

The England international highlighted City’s tactical sophistication and experience, noting the core group of players who understand Pep Guardiola’s demands. He also acknowledged the influence Mikel Arteta’s time at City has had on Arsenal’s development.

“I’ve worked with Mikel Arteta at Manchester City and Mikel’s taken a lot of things from Pep in the way that he coaches,” Walker explained.

Despite his assessment of which team poses the greater challenge, Walker believes Arsenal are better positioned than ever to finally secure the Premier League title after three consecutive second-place finishes under Arteta.

“Arsenal have put themselves in a very good position. And do I think that Arsenal are more equipped this year than what they have in the previous years? Yes, definitely,” he concluded.

Arsenal’s dramatic victory over Everton, combined with City’s surprise draw at West Ham, has opened up a commanding nine-point gap with seven games remaining. The title rivals will face each other in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday before their crucial league encounter later in the season.