Rio Ferdinand changes title prediction as Arsenal lead Man City and Aston Villa | Football

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has changed his Premier League title prediction as the race hots up between Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Arsenal, without a Premier League title since 2004, have been the frontrunners for virtually the entire season after their superb start to the campaign.

The Gunners have finished runners-up in each of the last three seasons, but boast arguably the league’s deepest squad after an impressive summer of recruitment.

And despite dealing with a slew of injuries throughout the spine of their team, a hard-fought win over Brighton ensured that Mikel Arteta’s side will go into the New Year top of the table.

Despite that, Arsenal’s lead is far from comfortable, with City and Villa trailing the leaders by just two and three points respectively.

And Unai Emery’s side, who have won 11 matches in a row in all competitions, have the opportunity to cut that gap entirely when they face the Gunners at the Emirates on Tuesday evening.

Should Villa win or draw against Arsenal, City would have the opportunity to move top of the table when they travel to face Sunderland on New Year’s Day.

Pep Guardiola’s side endured a disappointing campaign and meek defence of their title last season, but have cut a rejuvenated figure after heavy spending last January and over the summer.

And having won eight games in a row in all competitions, Ferdinand believes that momentum may be starting to swing in City’s favour and away from Arsenal, who he tipped to win the title at the start of the season.

‘I said [Arsenal would finish] first before a ball was kicked, but if I was a betting man right now I’m going City,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

‘I want Arsenal to win it but the way things are going now, City might just win it now.’

Heading into the New Year, Arsenal face a testing month in the league, with fixtures against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United in January.

But Ferdinand believes the Gunners’ title charge will be defined by their performances and ability to pick up results against those sides at the other end of the table.

‘I think Arsenal had a nice gap but they’ve allowed a few teams to get closer again,’ he said.

‘I think you have got to smell blood. You’ve been close enough the last couple of seasons and been pipped, I think you have to smell blood at the earliest point and just go for it.

‘It’s easier said then done but I think you have enough experience without winning to understand what you now need to do. So I think that the manager needs to get that across to the players.’

He continued: ‘You have to bully the teams near the bottom or middle part of the table and just be relentless and just try and be a little tighter against the teams in and around you.

‘That is where Arsenal have always let themselves down against the teams that you should win against, especially at the critical points of the season.

‘You haven’t been able to get those jobs done and that’s an area where you have to change.’

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