Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Pep Guardiola will be "even happier" than Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot following Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners looked on course to claim three precious points heading into the final 10 minutes of their encounter with the Reds, until Darwin Nunez teed up Mohamed Salah to score an 81st-minute equaliser.
A point apiece for Arsenal and Liverpool means that reigning Premier League champions Man City have gained two points on their title rivals, after they beat Southampton by a slender 1-0 scoreline at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, preserving their unbeaten start to the season.
Guardiola and co now sit top of the Premier League table, one point ahead of Liverpool in second place and five points above both Arsenal in third and Aston Villa in fourth after nine matches.
Arsenal and Liverpool are considered by many as the two main teams who can challenge Man City for top-flight glory this term. At this early stage in the campaign, Citizens supporter McInerney has shared his views on the performances of all three clubs, what issues they could face and where they currently stand in the title race.
'Liverpool are the real deal, Arsenal still possess quality amid injury issues'
Reflecting on last weekend's draw at the Emirates, McInerney told Sports Mole: "They both look like really good sides if I'm being totally honest. Liverpool are the real deal. They're focused, they're organised. I think Arsenal actually handled their injuries pretty well and they were good.
"I think to all, it felt just about a fair result. A very even game possession-wise and chances. Both teams are organised and structured, both teams have got a little bit of individual brilliance up front. I think both managers will be reasonably happy with the result, but I think Pep (Guardiola) will be even happier.
"The injuries are picking up a little bit for Arsenal. This is what happens at this time of the season when you're playing the big games. I don't think it's a coincidence.
"(In bigger games) when you're a bit more tense, you're more stressed, your muscles are tighter, I think the injuries pick up because of the level of the game that you're playing. You demand more of yourself physically, you push yourself a little bit harder because you have to, because they are the high levels. This is why injuries happen.
"I think Arsenal looking a bit battered and bruised, but they've still got good depth there. They've still got quality on the pitch, they played well... I do wonder how Arsenal are going to take that Gabriel [Magalhaes] injury, if it's a serious injury."
McInerney added: "Liverpool [also] showed that we have to take them seriously. You could not deny the quality of [Virgil] van Dijk, Salah, [Luis] Diaz... Nunez and Salah had a really nice link up as you saw for [their second] goal.
"[Liverpool and Arsenal are] two excellent sides and I'm just happy with the result as a City fan. I didn't want either to jump ahead of City, and I do feel right now with City, given the start, we haven't been at our best.
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"We've not really had Rodri at all. [Kevin] De Bruyne disappeared a long time ago as well. The collective feeling around City is that we've not really been much better than six out of 10 this season.
"That's not to say we've been bad, we've just been alright, we've been decent given the circumstances, yet we're top of the table against two teams that are really going for it, have had excellent starts to the season and we're unbeaten.
"From my perspective, [Arsenal's draw with Liverpool was] pretty much a perfect result (for City), while I don't think either side would have been frustrated with the result either."
'No guarantees Arsenal will keep up with Man City, Liverpool'
McInerney believes that all three teams will still be battling it out at the summit as they approach the Christmas period, although he has suggested that Arsenal could fall slightly behind both Man City and Liverpool if they drop points in the next couple of weeks.
"The worry for Arsenal is that football is a frustrating thing when you really want something and you can't get it," said McInerney. "Arsenal have been chasing City for a couple of seasons and they're currently five points behind. It's not a lot, but given where Arsenal have been at this stage of the season compared to others, it might feel a bit frustrating with injuries building up.
"Arsenal have got Newcastle United away next weekend, they've then got Inter Milan in the Champions League and Chelsea away (in the Premier League). It's very possible they drop some points there.
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'Liverpool riding a lack of expectation as Arsenal face psychological Man City battle'
"Chelsea are on fire at the moment. They're a lot more of a threat and they've got the quality. [Arsenal are] missing central defenders. If they drop a couple more points, say they draw one game there and City win a couple more, there'll be seven points behind City.
"I know it's very early in the season, but that will feel crushing given the last two years. Liverpool are more used to it, they've got that experience as they've gone the distance.
"I do feel they will all be there (fighting at the top), but there's no guarantee that Arsenal keep up that same pressure, because psychologically there's quite a few blows to them at the moment happening back to back to back, and if City keep finding a way to win, it could be a little bit soul-destroying [if they] feel they're unstoppable. It does feel that way sometimes.
"I think Liverpool are riding a lack of expectation, I would argue, given it is Slot's first season. No one expected him to be this good this quickly. They've got Brighton and Aston Villa coming up, which are two bigger tests. If they can get through those games and still be right near City, they'll be happy with that.
"City have got Bournemouth and Brighton as well... if City win both of their next two games, I suspect there'll be three points clear minimum."
Before preparing for round 10 of Premier League action, Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal will all turn their attention to the last 16 of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, with Guardiola's side taking on Tottenham Hotspur, Slot's team facing Brighton and Arteta's men travelling to Preston North End.
Oliver Thomas
