Thierry Henry ‘hopes’ Manchester City slip up on the final day to give Arsenal a chance to win the Premier League but cannot see Pep Guardiola’s side missing out on the title.
Leading the Premier League by two points, Man City are guaranteed to clinch a record-breaking fourth successive title if they beat West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
But if they draw or lose to the Hammers in David Moyes’ final game in charge, Arsenal will end their 20-year wait for a league title, presuming they do their job against Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have led the Premier League for much of the season but Man City took charge of the title race when they beat Tottenham in their game in hand during the week.
Discussing the title race ahead of the final day of the season, Arsenal legend Henry told BBC Sport: ‘It’s in their hands and I know how I would have been. I had that like, [growls].
‘It’s them, I’ve seen them doing it so many times to the [Sergio] Aguero moment, to the Tottenham game the other day to whatever.
‘I’ve seen them not collapsing so it bothers me to think that they will. But the fan on the other side, the fan on the other side is like, “Hey listen, you never know what can happen”.
‘When the ref’s going to blow the whistle, I hope that’s not going to bring me back to reality because reality right now unfortunately for anyone else, is that only the City fans be cocky. Only the City fans can be talking.
‘When you know you can’t back it up, don’t give that look. I give that look if I can back it up. We win? Oh. If we win and we have the trophy, oh don’t come and interview me, I’m going to talk, I’m going to speak a lot.
‘But Man City is a special team. I just hope that they’re not going to win.’
Henry briefly worked with Arsenal’s youth teams following his retirement and it was there that he first met his current favourite player at the club – Bukayo Saka.
Saka has been a key player for Arsenal and England over the past four years and enjoyed another impressive season for the title-challengers, scoring 16 goals and making nine assists in the Premier League.
‘At the time everyone was talking about other young players like Reiss Nelson. And Bukayo Saka was just… yeah, he’s good,’ Henry added.
‘That’s why I have mad respect for Bukayo and a soft spot for him, he’s my favourite player.’
Despite being second-favourites to lift the Premier League trophy come Sunday evening, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists the ‘dream is still alive’.
‘I do believe,’ Arteta said. ‘We wanted to be in this position. We have earned the right to live a beautiful day in front of our people on Sunday with the hope and big opportunity that we can lift the trophy at the end of the match.
‘We have the possibility to live a beautiful day on Sunday where the dream is still alive and it’s still possible. It’s football; we have to live the moment.’
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