Emmanuel Adebayor Premier League title prediction gives Man City edge over Arsenal

Emmanuel Adebayor backs Manchester City for title but admits he wants Arsenal to finish the job

Emmanuel Adebayor knows a thing or two about Premier League title races involving Arsenal and Manchester City, so perhaps it is no surprise that he sounds slightly torn watching this season unfold.

The former striker believes Manchester City may still find a way to come out on top once again, but emotionally, he would rather see Arsenal finally end their long wait for the title.

And honestly, plenty of neutrals probably feel the same at this stage. City winning leagues has become so routine that even their own fans sometimes celebrate with the calmness of people renewing a gym membership.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are sitting in a position they have not experienced this late in a season for a very long time.

Mikel Arteta’s side are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with three matches remaining.

Manchester City still have a game in hand, which explains why nobody connected to Arsenal is getting too comfortable just yet, but the reality is simple enough: win the final three games and the title is theirs.

That would end a drought stretching back to 2004.

Adebayor still expects City to push them all the way

Despite Arsenal leading the race, Adebayor admitted he still sees Pep Guardiola’s side as favourites to edge it.

“He told talkSPORT that his current belief is still that Manchester City will win the league. However, he personally hopes Arsenal wins.

”He recalled that Arsenal was competing for the title even when he was part of the team, and they are having a good season this year.

“The good thing is defensively, they are very good. But now, they have to win the last three games to win the league.”

That defensive stability has arguably become Arsenal’s biggest strength during the run-in. There was a time when Arteta’s side were known mainly for slick attacking football and technical midfield play, but over the past year they have started winning matches with patience and control too.

William Saliba and Gabriel have developed into one of the strongest centre-back pairings in the league, while Declan Rice has brought balance and authority in midfield.

Arsenal no longer feel fragile when games become tense, which has usually been the difference between contenders and champions.

Still, Adebayor knows exactly what City are capable of once momentum kicks in.

The fixtures that could decide everything

Arsenal’s final three league matches will come against West Ham United, Burnley and Crystal Palace. On paper, it is a manageable run. In reality, title races rarely care about paper.

City, meanwhile, still have Brentford, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa left to face.

And this is where the nerves start creeping in.

Adebayor believes Guardiola’s side remain dangerous because of their mentality as much as their quality.

“Man City dropping points against Everton, they will come back stronger,” he said.

“They will manage with their manager, the excellent team they have, they will do everything possible to win the last three games and wait for Arsenal to drop points so they can be champions.

“But trust me, it is not going to be an easy task for both of them. For the first time, I wish Arsenal wins it because they have been working towards this for so long.”

That last line probably captures the mood around Arsenal better than anything else. There is a sense that this team has been building steadily toward this moment for years.

Fans have watched the rebuild from its awkward early stages to a side now capable of competing with Europe’s elite and pushing City deep into another title race.

The pressure, though, is enormous.

Because City tend to punish even the smallest hesitation.

Adebayor’s verdict on Gyokeres

Away from the title race, Adebayor also shared his thoughts on Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres after the Swedish forward’s first season in north London.

Gyokeres arrived from Sporting CP in the summer of 2025 and has produced respectable numbers, scoring 21 goals and registering three assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.

Those are strong statistics for most strikers adjusting to a new league, although at Arsenal the expectations are always slightly different.

Particularly for a centre-forward.

Adebayor likes what he sees physically from Gyokeres but believes there is still room for refinement.

“He stated that he believes the player is talented. He’s a skilled attacker and a strong individual who handles the ball well.

”He mentioned that he first saw him play in a live match, the north London derby against Tottenham, and was impressed by his playing style because he’s powerful and always prepared to compete.

“But I think playing as a striker and for a club like Arsenal you have to add a little bit of technical ability to your game.”

It is a fair observation. Gyokeres has brought power, intensity and directness to Arsenal’s attack, but there are moments where his link-up play and first touch still feel slightly raw compared to the most polished forwards in Europe.

Adebayor specifically pointed toward areas he believes can improve further.

“Overall he’s been good and he’s scored goals, but if he can work on his first touch and his turning that would definitely be a good advantage for the club.

“But overall, he’s getting better and getting used to the Premier League, so he’s doing well.”

What happens next

Arsenal are now entering the stage of the season where every match feels louder than usual. Every missed chance carries extra tension. Every defensive clearance gets celebrated like a goal.

That is what title races do to football clubs.

Adebayor’s comments reflect both sides of the argument perfectly. Arsenal look ready. More mature, more resilient and more balanced than previous versions under Arteta. But Manchester City remain Manchester City, and until the maths says otherwise, nobody will fully relax around them.

Especially not former players who have seen how these races can twist late on.