Arsenal gain some added confidence to continue pursuit of Chelsea
Published:Arsene Wenger believes that Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge can now get back on track after their victory over Manchester City.
Defeats against West Brom and Chelsea had left them five points adrift of the latter at the head of the standings and there was every chance this gap would extend as they travelled to Eastlands.
However, Dedryck Boyata’s early sending off did them a giant favour as they went on to inflict a first home defeat on Roberto Mancini’s men this season.
And Wenger was of the belief that three points against one of Arsenal’s chief title rivals was just the tonic they needed to boost the feeling within the camp.
He said: “It was important to us to get a win in a big place to strengthen belief and continue our march forward.
“I think we beat Manchester City with calm intelligence and overall the needed performance to play against ten men.”
Arsenal are now 6/1 to win the Premier League after their victory lifted them into second in the table and they will be optimistic of bridging the gap on Chelsea in the coming few weeks.
Their next two Premier League outings are both at home and Wenger will feel that they have to take a maximum six points from their clashes with West Ham and Newcastle.
The return of Cesc Fabregas from injury will also help their cause in the middle of the midfield, but he did not have the best comeback against Manchester City as he missed a rare penalty.
City may just brush off the defeat as a single unfortunate afternoon and will feel that they are still well in title contention, as they too sit five points back from Chelsea after nine Premier League games.
Man City are 7/1 to win the Premier League after their defeat to Arsenal. See the full Premier League betting odds market.
