It's obvious who's better out of Liverpool and Arsenal - I know who Pep Guardiola really fears
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes knows exactly which team Pep Guardiola will fear most in the Premier League title hunt this term. And it's his belief a distinct strength in depth makes Liverpool more likely than Arsenal to challenge Manchester City's reign as they prepare to visit the Emirates on Sunday.
Guardiola, 53, once again saw off the Gunners' best efforts to clinch a fourth straight English league crown last season. Liverpool were a somewhat distant third as Jurgen Klopp failed to rein in England's dominant superpower before passing the torch to Arne Slot.
However, Scholes has suggested the current table-toppers look primed to make a more consolidated run at the crown after their bright start under Slot. And there are two key areas in which he feels Arsenal are lacking before their squad can match up to their Merseyside counterparts.
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“They [Liverpool’s midfield] have got legs. When they played against [Manchester] United at Old Trafford, I thought, ‘Wow, they look like a fit team,’ and there’s quality with it as well," said Scholes on the latest episode of Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet.
"The three in the middle of the pitch with the forwards they’ve got in front of them, it doesn’t matter [who they’ve got in midfield] – it’s that saying, ‘you’re only as good as your forwards are.’
"They’ve got five or six forwards who are special. That middle of the pitch doesn’t become as important. I think Liverpool’s squad is better than Arsenal’s. I think Pep Guardiola will be more worried about Liverpool than Arsenal."
Slot, 46, was happy to see Mohamed Salah remain at Anfield this summer following speculation the club icon could leave. Add to that the likes of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, and it's easy to see why the Dutchman has found it so easy to rotate his frontline of late.
The Reds also brought in Italy international Federico Chiesa as their only outfield signing of the summer transfer window. And although the former Juventus forward is yet tot start in the Premier League, the reception from inside Anfield regarding his adaptation has been nothing but positive.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are slightly lacking in the forward department despite swooping late to sign Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea. The recent injury to Bukayo Saka has relieved Mikel Arteta of arguably his most reliable attacker, leaving Kai Havertz (six) as their only player on more than two goals so far this term.
The Gunners were linked with along list of attackers over the summer but ended up relying on their existing corps of forwards. That's left Gabriel Jesus once again playing back-up to Havertz up front, though the former is yet to score in 10 appearances this term.
Scholes also highlighted the necessity of beating one's direct rivals in order to win titles, suggesting Arsenal have yet to evolve in that regard. Taking aim at the mentality within Arteta's squad, he added: "[Arsenal] went to City last year and got a draw and celebrated it. That was the time to go and win the league.”
Ian Wright gave Slot's side their dues and said Liverpool have made the most of a slightly easier fixture list to start this season. The Gunners icon highlighted Arsenal's recent loss at Bournemouth and said: "Liverpool will be thinking, ‘let’s keep this tight and we can beat these guys'."
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Saka remains a doubt to feature on Sunday, while key defender William Saliba is suspended, and both Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori could be unavailable through injury. However, Roy Keane had little sympathy for the north Londoners and insisted the absences are no excuse to not give Liverpool a challenge.
“That’s what the game is about – we talk about Arsenal and all these big clubs, you have to deal with these injuries and every now and again a player being sent off," said the Irishman. "You can get results – it’s almost as if people seem to think it’s a miracle to get results when you have injured players.
“Arsenal are a big club but Liverpool are coming to town, they’ve had a very good start, so they should use that as a fuel and say, ‘we’re a big club, we’re going to take you on'."