ARSENAL will crumble after Christmas to leave their title dreams in tatters, claims former Gooner Jermaine Pennant.
The Gunners have had a great start to the season, winning nine of their opening ten matches.
Their team’s excellent results have got Arsenal fans dreaming, but Pennant is not yet convinced of their credentials.
Appearing on talkSPORT, the 39-year-old said: “I think that Arsenal, after Christmas, will cookie crumble like they did the year before to drop out of the Champions League spots.”
He then continued: “What [Mikel] Arteta has done at Arsenal, where they were two, three seasons ago and what they are doing now, is absolutely amazing.
“We are giving Arsenal a lot of praise about where they are going and how they have conducted themselves in the first ten games.
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“But it is all about will they maintain that, will they continue that after Christmas?
“We have seen a lot of teams come flying out the blocks and then as soon as the Christmas period comes and the games come thick and fast, they slip over easily.”
Boyhood Liverpool fan Pennant, who also played for the Reds, added: “If Liverpool don’t clinch the title, I’ll be over the moon if Arsenal win it.”
Also speaking on talkSPORT, ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara claimed that Arsenal’s challenge won’t be able to withstand injuries.
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He said: “I mean if [Gabriel] Martinelli gets injured and if [Gabriel] Jesus – I mean Jesus wasn’t great yesterday, but he’s still massively important.
“If he gets injured, [Eddie] Nketiah’s not good enough to come and step in and carry on that title charge.
“So if they can keep them 11 players fit, I think Martinelli, [Granit] Xhaka’s been good, [Martin] Odegaard, [William] Saliba, if you can keep all these players fit, you are title contenders.
“If one of them gets injured, Manchester City have just got a better squad.”
The Gunners are four points clear of City and Tottenham after ten games played.
Arsenal were due to face Pep Guardiola’s side this week, only for the game to have to be called off in order for the Gunners to be able to play their Europa League clash with PSV.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
