With all the action around the club off the field, Man City are at their most vulnerable

Kostas Tsimikas of Liverpool and Alberto Collado of Sevilla FC in action during the pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Sevilla FC at Anfield on 11 August 2024 in Liverpool. (Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

By Yanga Sibembe

25 Oct 2024

From the early signs of the season, it appears that Manchester City are in pole position for a fifth league title in a row. But off-field issues at the club will give rivals Arsenal and Liverpool some hope of an upset.

Manchester City are gunning for an unprecedented fifth English Premier League title in a row. The Sky Blues already hold the outright record for the most consecutive English top-flight titles — having won their fourth last season.

They are favourites to make it five on the spin come mid-2025. However, some off-field uncertainty may hamper these ambitions. At least that is what Arsenal (the closest team to the rampant City during the past couple of years) and Liverpool will be hoping for.

With only eight games played, it is quite early in the season. Nevertheless, the Gunners and Reds have shown signs of being ready to pounce should the blue side of Manchester slip up even slightly.

Rodri of Manchester City and Carlos Augusto of Inter Milan during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase match between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano on 18 September 2024 in Manchester. (Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

City shake-up

City have already announced that their director of football Txiki Begiristain, the man who has helped acquire the soldiers for manager Pep Guardiola’s dynasty, is set to depart at the end of this season. In addition, the future of Guardiola remains uncertain.

The Spanish super manager’s contract with the Sky Blues expires at the end of the current season. Although the City hierarchy is pushing to keep him, nothing concrete has been agreed on as yet.

Considering that he was the prime candidate to replace Gareth Southgate as manager of the England men’s national team, but opted to stay at City, he is likely to remain in Manchester beyond this season.

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase match between Arsenal FC and FC Shakhtar Donetsk on 22 October 2024 in London. (Photo: Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Guardiola recently said he has not made a decision on his future yet, but he did admit that the imminent departure of compatriot Begiristain is a huge blow for himself and the club.

Read more: Pep in their step — usurping Manchester City as stars of the Premier League won’t be easy

“A part of me is leaving,” Guardiola said. “A friend of mine, and the architect to creating one of the best teams ever at Barcelona and now here [at City]. I knew the decision for a long time, a family reason, personal reason. I know how grateful he is for his experience here.”

Then there is the not so minor matter of the ongoing hearing into City’s alleged financial misdemeanours, thus falling foul of the Premier League’s financial profit and sustainability rules.

From 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons, the Sky Blues are alleged to have breached rules that require clubs to provide accurate financial information so that the league has a “true and fair view” of the club’s revenue. This includes sponsorships and operating costs.

The private hearing began in September 2024, and a verdict is expected around March 2025. Though an appeal by either side is also likely, depending on who emerges as the victor between City and the Premier League.

The players are professional and these legal proceedings are unlikely to have a major impact on how they perform on the field. Yet, they are difficult to ignore, in spite of how professional the players are, and how City has constantly reassured them that there is nothing to worry about.

Reds vs Gunners

In the event of any mishaps by City, Arsenal and Liverpool will be ready to pounce. But they must first clash with each other on Sunday, 27 October.

The mega match between the sides is unlikely to determine who might be the one to closely challenge City between the two. There are still a number of points to be won and lost over the next few months.

However, a win in the contest may be integral for both teams’ confidence as they push to achieve the unlikely – toppling City.

“We will go to Arsenal to play our football and to win the game,” Liverpool defender Konstantinos Tsimikas said. “That is our target. But we just take it game by game, to try to win and play good football.”

“That is the important thing right now. It’s too early to speak about [statement wins]. But our goals at the start of the season were that we want to win everything,” the Greek defender added.

Read more: One of the all-time greats — Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has cemented his astonishing legacy

The Reds face an Arsenal side that has been hit by injuries so far this season. The Gunners lost captain Martin Ødegaard a month ago. The creative midfielder injured his ankle on international duty in September.

Ahead of the key clash with Reds winger Bukayo Saka, as well as defenders Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, are doubts to feature for Arsenal.

In addition, Arsenal ill-discipline has been a hindrance, with the team receiving three red cards in their eight matches to date.

As a result, for this game the London side will be missing a key member of their team in the form of centre back William Saliba, who was red-carded against Bournemouth a week ago. Making this match a perfect opportunity for Liverpool to further enhance their title credentials against a direct rival. DM

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