Micah Richards says City’s win over Crystal Palace will ‘almost be demoralising’ for Arsenal
Micah Richards claims that Man City’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace will be ‘DEMORALISING’ for league leaders Arsenal… and suggests his former side and the Gunners could get caught in a ‘psychological battle’ for the title
- Micah Richards says Manchester City’s victory could affect Arsenal
- City had to work hard as they secured a 1-0 win in game away to Crystal Palace
- Arsenal are two points clear of City going into their clash against Fulham
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Micah Richards has claimed that the nature of Manchester City’s win against Crystal Palace will almost be demoralising for their title rivals Arsenal.
City had to work hard to secure a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park, with Erling Haaland scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 78th minute.
The win saw City move to two points behind leaders Arsenal, who are in action away to Fulham on Sunday.
Richards feels that winning when not playing well is a sign of champions and added that City’s previous experience could prove to be extremely useful in the title race.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Richards said: ‘City have not been at their best but they’re managing to win. If I can go back to when I was in the race for the league.
Micah Richards feels the nature of Manchester City’s victory could demoralise Arsenal
Richards was impressed with how City beat Crystal Palace despite not being at their best
‘Arsenal watching that today and Man City not playing at their best but still getting the three points, it’s almost demoralising at times.
‘When we were in that title race we were ahead of Man United, they went ahead of us and then we came back. It was that psychological battle going round in your head time and time again.
‘What Man City have that Arsenal don’t have in recent history, they’ve done it, they’ve won four out of five, so they know what level they are and where they can go.
‘I backed Arsenal to challenge for the title just because the ideas, the freshness, the young players coming together, but when the team who have done it, like Man United at the time, it always felt like they had that bit of an edge.’
Richards also reiterated his belief that, despite Arsenal’s current advantage, he feels City will be crowned champions in May.
Former City defender Richards said: ‘Arsenal have got a new found confidence, they’re hungry, but you’ve always got in the back of your mind, City have done it before.
‘City normally go on a run in December, January, it’s whether they can get that run together. People are expecting City to roll teams over, but it feels a bit different. Man City beat Arsenal, everyone thought Arsenal would buckle but they didn’t.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will look to restore their lead to five points when they take on Fulham
‘If I was a betting man I’d say City because they’ve done it before, but on form and how Arsenal have reacted, I think it will go all the way.’
Arsenal showed excellent spirit against Bournemouth last weekend as they scored a 97th minute winner through Reiss Nelson.
It seems likely that Mikel Arteta’s side will have to demonstrate their character on plenty of further occasions before the end of the season.
The clash between City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on April 26 could well prove to be very important overall, but both sides have plenty of other tough tests to come.
