Jose Mourinho explains why Arsenal won’t win the Premier League

Arsenal finished the weekend at the top of the table after defeating Brighton 2-0, with Liverpool and Aston Villa one point behind, while City let a two-goal lead slip at home to Crystal Palace and are now five points behind.

Last season, Arsenal led City by five points, only for the treble winners to reel them in during the second half of the season to claim a third straight title.

Mourinho believes City’s incredible squad depth – enough to field two world-class XIs – will eventually see them over the line once more, with Liverpool their nearest rival, though he would prefer to see Arsenal make it a three-horse race.

Mourinho responded on The Obi One Podcast to former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel’s question about who will win the Premier League: ‘Man City 51 [percent] and Liverpool 49.’

When asked if league leaders Arsenal were in the conversation, Mourinho simply said, ‘Na.’

Mikel burst out laughing at his former manager’s candor, exclaiming, ‘The rivalry is still there!‘

‘But it is not the rivalry,’ Mourinho added. It’s not the right time [for them].’

When Mikel suggested that the north Londoners “always capitulate,” Mourinho responded, “Honestly, rivalry aside because I can do it, I would like them to win, I would like a third [team in the title race].”

‘Of course, Chelsea isn’t going to win it; that’s out of the question, so I don’t think about Chelsea.

‘Of course Manchester United is not going to win it, I don’t speak about Man United too, so it’s going to be these three and out of these three I would be happy for Arsenal to do it.

‘I would love to see them break that record, but I believe the score is 51-49 [between City and Liverpool].

‘And I say 51-49 because when it comes to the accumulation of matches, Man City has two teams!’

Manchester City will not be back in Premier League action until December 27 due to their participation in the Club World Cup, so either Arsenal or Liverpool can extend their lead over the champions when they meet next weekend at Anfield.