Pundit Micah Richards believes that Arsenal are a different proposition from the side that fell away in the Premier League title race last season after they regained their place at the top of the table.
The Gunners recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Luton Town at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a goal from Martin Odegaard and an own goal from Daiki Hashioka in the first half. The win moved them above Liverpool ahead of their game against Sheffield United tonight (Thursday).
Just one point currently separates the three sides at the top of the table in a title race that looks set to go down to the wire. This time last year was when Arsenal’s challenge alongside Manchester City started to drop off, but Richards can’t see that happening again this time around.
When asked on Match of the Day on Wednesday night if Arsenal are a different proposition than last year, he said: “Yes, definitely; I think they’re a much more mature side.
“If you look at the tactics against Man City where they had to be a little bit more defensive and have the game management correct, then today, with the changes, it was all just about how can you manage the game without putting too much into it and still coming away with the result, and I thought they were excellent at that today.”
Arsenal are back in action at the weekend when they take on Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium in the Saturday evening (5.30pm) kick-off. The Seagulls currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League table and played out a 0-0 draw with Brentford on Wednesday night.
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In the weekend’s other Premier League fixtures, City travel to Crystal Palace in the early (12.30pm) kick-off. Liverpool travel to Old Trafford to take on rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon (3.30pm kick-off).
