Shay Given believes Manchester City remain genuine title contenders, in a three-way race to win the Premier League this season.
It has not been a great start to the season for Pep Guardiola’s side with two defeats already from their six league games.
It is still very early days, though, and every team in the top flight has now dropped points after Liverpool’s defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Reds lead the way, two points ahead of second-place Arsenal, while Manchester City are five points behind the leaders, down in seventh.
Given is not writing off his former club just yet, as while they are not the consistent force they used to be, there is still a huge amount of quality and title-winning experience at Manchester City. Certainly more of the latter than at their rivals.
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‘You can’t rule Manchester City out of the title race this early in the season, but they have got a lot of work to do if they’re to go and win it,’ Shay Given told Ladbrokes at the launch of Ladisfaction.
‘That’s probably because of Arsenal and Liverpool, and the squads they’ve built over the last few years.
‘You could argue that City are going through a bit of a transitional period, because they’ve brought a lot of names in over the last couple of transfer windows, but also they’ve lost so much experience too.
‘You’ve got to keep rejigging things when you’re at the top, because all great eras come to an end, and the question for Man City this year is are this group of players ready and good enough to challenge on all fronts? And part of me thinks they actually are.
‘The good thing that they’ve got going for them right now is that no one is really talking about them; that might actually play into their hands as the season goes on, because everyone is talking about Arsenal and Liverpool.
‘The noise around City is relatively quiet right now, which is crazy when you think of the size of the club and the players they’ve got. But they can use that to their advantage; they’ll be thinking “right, we’ll say nothing ourselves and quietly get on about our business”.
‘I do think they’ll be in for a great shout at the end of the season in the title race, I really do. Yes, they’re a few points adrift at the minute, but it’s still so early in the campaign, and they’ve been there and done it before.
‘That’s key, because Arsenal haven’t. I actually think this is going to be one of the best title races there’s been in years; last year was a disappointing one in the end… great for Liverpool fans, obviously, but it was all done and dusted relatively quickly, wasn’t it?’
Have Arsenal gone favourites?
Liverpool still lead the way despite their loss to the Eagles at the weekend, but with that result followed by a stoppage time winner for Arsenal at Newcastle, early momentum has swung towards the Gunners.
Given is far from certain on who will emerge from this season with the Premier League trophy, but he feels Arsenal are strongest placed to become champions.
‘It’s difficult to say who wins it at this moment in time, but I’m expecting it to ebb and flow all season,’ said the former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper.
‘I suppose as I sit here right now, if I look at every squad in the cold light of day, then I’d say Arsenal are the ones to beat.’
Ferdinand is still backing Liverpool
Six-time Premier League winner Rio Ferdinand felt Arsenal’s win at St James’ Park was ‘massive’ but stopped short of making the Gunners favourites over Liverpool.
‘This was a massive, massive shift in mindset and belief,’ the Manchester United legend said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
‘They answered a lot of the critics out there. To go to Newcastle and win is huge because if they draw that game or lose that game questions would be asked.
‘I’m not saying they will win the league but there’s moments in the season that you draw inspiration from. Newcastle isn’t an easy place to go.
‘That game means so much to that team because there was so much riding on it, they had to capitalise on Liverpool dropping points.
‘Liverpool are the team to beat. They are. They’re the champions, they have the most experience, you’ve got to watch them. They’re the team everyone will have to chase.’