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Rafael van der Vaart sends Arsenal brutal Liverpool Premier League reality check

Rafael van der Vaart reckons Liverpool has a better chance at winning the Premier League this season than Arsenal do
-Credit: (Image: NOS)


Ex-Tottenham Hotspur star Rafael van der Vaart believes Liverpool will be Manchester City's closest challengers for the Premier League title this term over Arsenal.

The Reds return to action on Saturday afternoon by welcoming Nottingham Forest to Anfield, with Arne Slot's side looking to make it four wins from four in his debut campaign as Liverpool boss. Elsewhere, City face Brentford, while Arsenal is set to take on their rivals Spurs in the north London derby on Sunday afternoon.

Before the international break, Liverpool and City maintained their perfect starts by defeating Manchester United and West Ham United. However, Arsenal dropped points to Brighton & Hove Albion, drawing 1-1 with the Seagulls.

That draw also saw Declan Rice sent off, meaning he will miss the clash against Spurs, as will skipper Martin Odegaard, who injured his ankle whilst away on international duty for Norway. And speaking exclusively to BetMGM, Van der Vaart reckons that after having seen the three title contenders this term, Liverpool, not Arsenal, will be the team to push City for the Premier League crown come May.

"Many think Arsenal will be the ones to serve it up to Manchester City, but I don’t agree," said Van der Vaart. City and Liverpool look the two best sides to me.

"It’s so hard to keep going again and again, season after season, and I look at the Arsenal team in the long-term and worry about them. I can’t see Arsenal winning the Premier League this season.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has guided the Reds to a perfect start so far this season -Credit:Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images

"I was really impressed by Liverpool when they beat Manchester United – they looked so stable and everything looked very easy. City are definitely the favourites, but don’t write off Liverpool."

With Arsenal set to take on Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday, the Gunners could find themselves five points behind City and Liverpool should they win, and Arteta and co lose to Spurs. And to make matters worse, should they drop points against their arch rivals on Sunday afternoon, they will be faced with the daunting prospect of facing off against City at the Etihad next weekend.

Liverpool.com says: "Liverpool has looked good so far this season but it's important to stress the Reds are running a marathon and not a sprint. They are up against arguably the most dominant force the Premier League has ever seen, with City looking to achieve history this term by winning their fifth successive title.

"That said, Liverpool were in the title race for the majority of the season last term. They have the quality to compete with both City and Arsenal and if they manage their games down the stretch in the second half of the season better than they did last term, they should be in the conversation once again."