‘The wrong words’ – Rio Ferdinand questions Arsenal star’s comments on title race

Rio Ferdinand has questioned whether Bukayo Saka genuinely believed what he was saying when he suggested Arsenal felt in ‘control’ of the title race despite Manchester City’s resurgence.

The Premier League leaders have managed to find their footing again after experiencing a mini-wobble in the English top flight, in which they dropped points against Sunderland, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Back-to-back victories over Wolves and Everton ensured the Gunners restored their two-point advantage at the top ahead of their next league game at home to an out-of-sorts Brighton.

However, that lead stood at seven points just last month and City and Aston Villa have been threatening to further close the gap, with both clubs riding impressive winning streaks this winter.

‘There weren’t really any emotions in it, we take them out. We focus on our job,’ Saka told Sky Sports following Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Everton last weekend.

‘Since last week we focused on winning here and we did that. We are back on top of the table but we aren’t watching City too hard.

‘We know if we win every week we will stay there. We are in control.’

But given Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have ‘crumbled’ in the past, Ferdinand has his doubts about Saka’s comments.

According to Ferdinand, the Arsenal forward would only be human if he were to be looking over his shoulder at the sky-blue ‘beast’ that has seemingly awoken at City.

‘You [Arsenal] have been here before and ample crumbled! You’ve been here before and have seen your team crumble,’ the ex-Manchester United and England defender said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.

‘That’s why I feel that Saka can’t really, genuinely be standing there and going, “We’re in control”… not when you’ve got that beast City hanging about.

Prefer us to the others? Then tell Google!

As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.

Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

‘Only minutes before, they were top of the league, above you. This team have won four on the bounce when you’ve been sitting there playing.

‘You’ve led the league for many months and you’ve seen this team come out of nowhere and blitz you.

‘So to feel that you’re feeling in control right now, given what you’ve been through with them and the heartache that they’ve given you, I think that’s probably the wrong words.

‘I actually hope he [Saka] is right, I hope they do have control and they are thinking like that. I do!’

Though Arsenal have proven they are capable of winning matches when they aren’t at their best, the word ‘control’ still doesn’t sit right with Ferdinand.

‘The moment that City won the game 3-0, you’re feeling straight away that Arsenal feel, “We ain’t in control right now, we need to try and get back some control, some form of control”,’ he added.

‘They [Arsenal] have got some form of control but I think Bukayo, all the players that are involved in this situation, they all know that right now it’s topsy-turvy, the momentum shifting is going to be happening all the way through to the end of the season now.

‘Both teams are now in a bit of form, City have hit a bit of form and are scoring goals at a crazy rate, [Erling] Haaland is looking to break new records again, it ain’t going to be easy.

‘So the word control in terms of the title race, for any team now, I don’t think can be said.

‘The biggest thing they’ve got, they [Arsenal] look like they can control games. That’s what’s better.’

Despite City’s form, Pep Guardiola has refused to go easy on his players and branded Phil Foden ‘not good’ after the attacking midfielder had scored his sixth goal in four games against Crystal Palace.

‘Pep’s being a little bit coy,’ Ferdinand said of Guardiola’s recent remarks.

‘He’s trying to make everyone feel a bit like, “We’re still hungry”, and I think those type of comments scare people.

‘When they see City banging teams 3-0, Haaland banging two and getting an assist in a game, and Pep’s coming out and saying he’s dissatisfied and still not happy, “I ain’t satisfied with what we’re doing”, that’s scary for Arsenal and other teams.’

Ferdinand, a six-time Premier League winner with Manchester United, would ‘hate’ to see City win it again this season – and hopes Arsenal manage to hold off Guardiola’s men.

‘Seeing City win, I hate it. Seeing Liverpool win, I detest it,’ he added.

‘If Arsenal won it I wouldn’t like it, just because of some of the fans, but I’d be much more satisfied with that.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.