Football
Jermaine Pennant exclusively to William Hill “Liverpool favourites in Premier League Title Race”
Jermaine Pennant talks exclusively to William Hill
Former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant talks exclusively to William Hill about both teams’ chances in this season’s Premier League title race. Jermaine Pennant also speaks about Arsenal’s injury crisis which has led to a lack of strikers and what do Arsenal need to reinforce their squad. Looking at Liverpool, Jermaine shares his view on the transfer saga ongoing with three of Liverpool’s top players.
Who would you currently favour in the Premier League title race?
Jermaine: Liverpool are favourites for sure. 6pts clear, game in hand and Arsenal have to go to Anfield and haven’t won at Liverpool for many years.
Liverpool’s squad looks better than Arsenal’s as well with the injury to Saka which is massive. I can’t see Liverpool dropping enough points and defensively Liverpool look good which is very important.
Liverpool to win the Premier league odds
How nervous, if at all, do you think those at Liverpool will be given the recent drop-off in performances, particularly at the back?
Jermaine: I don’t really see it. Many players have been in title races before and won, so I think it needs cool and calm heads and Virgil leading the team is massive. He knows what is required and Liverpool can score enough goals to win games. Jota, Salah, Nunez and Gakpo is strong compared to Arsenal’s front line.
Can Liverpool potentially competing in all four competitions hinder their title aspirations, particularly with main rivals Arsenal now out of the FA Cup and with a big deficit in the Carabao?
Jermaine: It does happen and has happened. But with four strikers who can be rotated and all in good form, Liverpool can compete on all fronts. At this stage of the season, some games you want to get the result and not worry about the performance.
The Carabao Cup is one where Liverpool will need to come from one goal down to beat Spurs, which is totally doable, as we know Spurs have big injuries at the minute. But the priority is the League, then Champions League of all the competitions.
Have Arsenal been negligent in the transfer market by not signing a striker and who does he believe they should target this summer in that department?
Jermaine: I think they have been negligent in the transfer market by not signing a striker. The fans have been calling for it, the media have also addressed this the past few seasons too.
Looking now and you take the past few games that Arsenal have played in and if Arsenal have a top striker, then they beat Manchester United 3 or 4 -1 in the FA Cup. In the north London derby, Arsenal created chances and with a striker, they could and should
have also won that by 3 or 4 -1. Spurs could have nicked a point at the end and it would have been down to Arsenal not taking their chances. At the end of the year, Arsenal beat Ipswich by a single goal 1-0 and with back up in striker positions, this could have been more comfortable. So, they do need reinforcement in this area for sure.
With Saka and Jesus now out, it’s even more important they do so. Who can Arsenal get? They should have got Isak before he joined Newcastle, but now I think he will be too expensive for them in the summer as not sure they have £100 Million+ to spend on one. Gyokeres at Lisbon is one on their radar and also many other clubs, Sesko and Leipzig and also Vlahovic has been mentioned. Oshimen was another player mentioned, so it’s key they can get a striker who will score 15+ goals in the Premier League. Prior to these Toney could have been available at Brentford and even rumours of Nunez from Liverpool, but don’t see this happening now.
What do you make of Martin Odegaard’s dip in form? And how much of a big loss is Bukayo Saka?
Jermaine: Odegaard has been out injured and we’re waiting for him to get back to his top form. Him and Saka have had a brilliant relationship down the right hand side, with Odegaard scoring and assisting.
So, he now needs to take it upon himself to get back to hitting these numbers as he was doing. There is more emphasis with Saka injured for the captain to come up trumps with goals. You look at this time last year when Arsenal hit top form, Odegaard will now
that this needs to be his time again. And on Saka, you can’t replace him. He is that good and with assists and goals, Arsenal’s other players need to step up. So, it’s a huge blow!
What have you made of Arsenal’s Academy graduates like Saka, and especially Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri who have hit the ground running this season?
Jermaine: It’s great to see. It’s proof the academy system works and why the investment continues to be made. Fans love it when a home grown player comes through the ranks and also if they have been at the Club since a young age, then they have love for the Club as well, so it’s extra motivation to go out and play. The coaching as well is brilliant, so these lads have no fear going on the pitch
Mikel Arteta, just one trophy. If Arsenal fail to win the Premier League title, is it time for him to go?
Jermaine: I think that is a bit harsh! If Arsenal win the Champions League, this is a huge success, it’s the first time the Club would have won the Competition. If Arsenal don’t win the Premier League then where Arsenal, they
are in a great place, they have young, hungry and talented players, but with Man City way off it, Arsenal should be the ones who are favourites to win the League, but they aren’t. There will be questions asked, if Arsenal don’t win anything this season, but that’s it, nothing more as this team can win things with the quality they have.
Are Liverpool to blame for the contract situations of Salah, Alexander-Arnold, and Van Dijk?
Jermaine: Yes, ultimately it is down to the Club, the Owner, the Head of Football, Sporting Director. to speak with the players and their representatives over the past few years to get renewal talks on the table for each player. You know when the players contract is up and you should be talking to them well in advanced of leaving it to the last season and now we’re half way through the final season of each of their contracts and the players. It’s not up to the players or their representative to get this done. There is now the issue that each of them can walk out the door for free once their contract ends. All the players are employees of the Club, so the club must take ownership of this situation. Talks should have happened a few years ago to offer new contracts to the players as they are vital to the success of Liverpool. All three players make massive contributions to the Club.
What do you make of Liverpool fans being unhappy with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Does he risk ruining his legacy by joining Real Madrid on a free?
Jermaine: He has been at the Club since he was very young. He has won everything domestically and when Real Madrid come calling, it’s a massive opportunity, to challenge your career and win big trophies. You don’t get that kind of opportunity often, and usually once in your career, so you can see why he is interested in moving. He has given his all for the Club, won everything and you can’t begrudge him the move in my opinion. So I hope it doesn’t ruin his legacy and he could well go out as a Premier League champion again.
On Marcus Rashford, having played abroad himself, is going abroad now the best option for rashford to rebuild his career?
Jermaine: Yes, I think so. We’ve seen so many players go abroad and launch and also re-launch their careers over the years. You look at Jaden Sancho, he was a big success at Dortmund, Jude Bellingham at Dortmund as well was hugely successful playing abroad, so plenty of evidence to suggest Marcus Rashford, who is a top striker, proven 30 goal a season striker can make it abroad and do well. Tomori at AC Milan is doing really well and getting rave reviews from his performances. The League are less pressurised environments, some less competitive as the Premier League, he can go abroad, get the love back for the game, a smile on his face, a new lease of life, I think he will and should go abroad. He can then score goals again and show what he can do.
