Sergio Aguero makes bold title claim after Man City lose more ground on Arsenal

Sergio Aguero insists Manchester City can still win the Premier League title despite Arsenal increasing their lead at the top to nine points at the weekend.

Arsenal had looked on course to loosen their vice-like grip ever so slightly as David Moyes’ stubborn Everton side stood strong after a goalless 89 minutes at the Emirates.

But 16-year-old sensation Max Dowman had other ideas, coming off the bench to provide the cross that led to Viktor Gyokeres’ breakthrough with just seconds remaining of normal time.

It was Dowman’s second meaningful contribution, though, that will be played over and over again should the Gunners go on and end their 22-year wait for the trophy this term.

After a stoppage-time Everton corner was headed away by Gyokeres and, in turn, Gabriel Martinelli, Dowman picked up possession deep inside Arsenal’s half, skipped past two Toffees defenders with ease and passed into an empty net to cue frenzied scenes in north London.

There were raucous celebrations as the young attacker was mobbed by his Arsenal team-mates in the corner in what felt like a hammer blow to City’s dwindling title hopes.

But City’s task was made even harder later that evening as they were held to a desperately disappointing 1-1 draw away to lowly West Ham to lose yet more ground in this year’s increasingly one-sided title race.

However, when asked if Pep Guardiola’s men could still go on and win the title, iconic ex-City striker Aguero told Stake: ‘Why not? It’s difficult, of course.

‘But it was also difficult in 2012 and we all know how that ended.

‘These are different moments, but what I mean is that in the Premier League nothing is decided until the very end.’

Pressed on which of the two teams would end the campaign with more silverware, Aguero responded: ‘Shall we talk at the end of the season?

‘I don’t like making those kinds of predictions, and my opinion won’t change depending on which of the two wins more trophies.

‘Both are doing very well in the competitions they’re playing.

‘In the final stages everything is decided by small details. I hope City ends up with more success, but it’s impossible to know.’

According to Aguero, Arsenal’s superior level of ‘consistency’ has been instrumental in Mikel Arteta’s side opening up an imperious nine-point advantage at the summit.

Asked why City were trailing so far behind, the former Argentina international explained: ‘Because Arsenal have been more consistent, not just now but also in previous seasons.

‘And because, despite the difficulties they had and the many injury problems, they managed to bounce back quickly.

‘Both teams know exactly how they want to play, they have great players and two of the best managers in the league.’

There was some frustration amongst the fanbase directed towards Arteta after Arsenal finished runners-up in the Premier League for a third year on the trot last season.

But Aguero believes Arteta has been and will remain a perfect fit for the Gunners, even if the club somehow manage to finish the season trophyless again.

‘I’ve said it before. It shouldn’t be like that,’ the five-time Premier League winner replied when asked if the Spaniard needed to win a trophy to keep his job this term.

‘He has built very competitive teams and now he has a very complete squad with more experience. And they’ve been fighting for titles in recent years.’

While Arsenal remain in the hunt for silverware on all four fronts this season, there has been some criticism thrown at Arteta for his team’s style of play and an apparent overreliance on set-pieces.

‘What does ‘boring football’ even mean?’ Aguero said in response to those questioning Arsenal’s tactical approach.

‘I don’t think it’s boring for their fans when their team is at the top of the table.

‘Saying they’re boring because they often score from set pieces minimises their style of play.

‘Maybe it’s not fun for fans of other teams, and I can understand that. But I don’t think that should determine who neutral fans want to win the title.’

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