Harry Redknapp says he is still not ‘ready to trust’ Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side and predicts Manchester City will come away from this weekend’s crunch match at the Etihad with a 2-1 victory.
Arsenal ensured they went into the international break at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a dramatic 2-1 defeat of Brentford, with the north London club currently sitting above second-placed Liverpool on goal difference.
The Gunners’ title credentials were called into question over a disappointing winter period, but Arteta’s men have bounced back emphatically and will no doubt take inspiration from their win over City in October’s reverse fixture at the Emirates.
Sunday’s visitors will also be encouraged by the fact that City, last year’s treble winners, will be without two of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted defenders in John Stones and Kyle Walker, who both picked up injuries while on England duty.
Though Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes all appeared to miss training on Friday, Arteta said there was a ‘chance’ the trio could play a part in Manchester at his pre-match press conference.
Turning his attention to Sunday’s other intriguing encounter, former Tottenham and QPR boss Redknapp – previewing the action for BetVictor – backed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to have too much firepower against a ‘shaky’ Brighton defence at Anfield.
The Reds drew 1-1 at home to Guardiola’s champions in their last top-flight clash, while Brighton beat lowly Nottingham Forest after an own goal from Andrew Omobamidele.
