Arsenal legend Alan Smith says Liverpool beating Arsenal to the league title would be “difficult to take”.

With the Gunners coming so close to dislodging Manchester City at the top of the table over the last couple of years, Mikel Arteta’s side look poised to succeed them as title winners but, speaking to BonusCodeBets, Smith says it appears that Liverpool will be hard to stop:

“It would sting and sting badly if Liverpool end up winning the league because you’re waiting for Man City to trip up. Arsenal have been on their shoulder for the last few years and they were next in line, the Gunners, should City come to the end of that winning period.”

“And then all of a sudden, (Liverpool) leapfrog them as it were, move in front. So that will be difficult to take. Arsenal fans are kind of gradually accepting it, with that gap. Not giving up on the title yet. It hurts, because Arsenal have been second in line, ready to take over.”

“But that’s football. These things happen and you’ve got to keep pushing and keep on trying to improve. A few years ago Arsenal weren’t pushing for the title, they were nowhere near it, so this is where they should be now, vying for it. But it would be a heavy blow if Liverpool do lift the title and Arsenal are second or third. That would hurt.”

Liverpool fans have had their fair share of heartache over the years

It should not be forgotten that Arsenal are not the only club to have narrowly lost the title to City. On two separate occasions, the Reds went into the final day with hopes of finishing first, only to have their dreams dashed.

In both seasons, they finished on more than 90 points, which is not a total this current Arsenal team has reached.

Of course, the main difference is that Liverpool did win the title in 2020, although it wasn’t in ideal circumstances due to COVID.

What are the bookies saying about Liverpool’s title chances?

With the Gunners having dropped points against Aston Villa at the weekend, the bookmakers have now increased their odds to 5/1 for finishing in 1st place.

In contrast, Arne Slot’s side are now as short as 2/9 odds-on favourites for the title, having stretched their lead to six points with a game in hand.

Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for 2024/2025 season here