Arsene Wenger rates Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes and possible Liverpool ‘collapse’

Arsene Wenger has named Liverpool as ‘super favourites’ to lift the Premier League title at the end of the season, warning Arsenal need to be ‘perfect’ to stand any chance. The Gunners have been rocked by injury in recent weeks with Kai Havertz ruled out for the rest of the season, joining Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the sidelines. But Mikel Arteta’s side showed there is still fight in their title bid with a 2-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday with Mikel Merino filling the void up front, grabbing a late brace to seal the victory.

Arsenal will have the chance to reduce the gap themselves when they head to Anfield in May but until then, Liverpool’s fate is in their own hands. Wenger, who guided Arsenal to three Premier League titles, is ‘praying’ for a slip up on Merseyside but admits it may already be too late for his old side. ‘It is simple, they [Liverpool] need to lose games,’ Wenger told beIN Sports. ‘But we are 25 games played, Liverpool have lost one. So they have to lose three at least in the next 13 games so at the moment it looks unlikely.

‘Unless they [Liverpool] collapse but until now they have lost just one game. So for now they are the super favourites. ‘And on top of that, Arsenal have to make a perfect run. So I pray but I have to improve the quality of my praying.’. Arsenal thrashed Manchester City 5-1 at the start of the month and while Pep Guardiola’s side thumped Newcastle United at the weekend, their title bid looks dead in the water.

A top four finish may be the best they can hope for with January signing Omar Marmoush hoping to have a key role to play in the season run-in. The Egypt international scored a sublime hat-trick against Newcastle on Saturday with Wenger impressed with the fearless streak he sees in the forward. ‘What I like is Marmoush is mobile and he looks powerful in his runs,’ Wenger said. ‘He looks that in is mind he is not scared of anybody. I saw when he was at Frankfurt playing he had some special talent.

‘In the first two or three games with City he was disappointing but on Saturday you feel him comfortable. ‘Now I want to see if he lives together with [Erling] Haaland, it has to work well together. Arrow MORE: When is the Champions League last 16 draw and when are the fixtures?. Arrow MORE: Man Utd suffer another injury blow with Kobbie Mainoo return date revealed. Arrow MORE: Casemiro sends clear transfer message to Man Utd chiefs about his future.