Redknapp names Brighton as Arsenal's biggest title threat after City's third straight defeat

Jamie Redknapp has singled out Brighton as Arsenal’s most serious Premier League title rivals following Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest — the third loss in a row for Pep Guardiola’s side — which extended Arsenal’s lead at the summit to six points.

City’s latest setback, coming on the back of defeats to Aston Villa and Brighton, has reshaped the early-season picture considerably. Brighton, managed by Fabian Hurzeler, are the only team to have beaten Arsenal this season, winning 3-0 at the Amex Stadium, and have since defeated City at the Etihad. The Seagulls have also scored more goals than any other side in the division and can move up to second with a positive result.

Redknapp acknowledged the surprise in his own assessment. “If you look at the league table, I think right now, probably the one you’d point to, and I never thought I’d say this at the start of the year, but it’s Brighton,” he said. “Arsenal have got Saliba coming back, the players they’ve got defensively, you’d never see Arsenal look as open as we saw Manchester City look [against Forest]. I don’t really see anything else other than Arsenal running away with this title at the moment.”

Despite Brighton’s impressive form, Redknapp stopped well short of calling it a genuine two-horse race. He expects Arsenal to retain their crown comfortably, pointing to their defensive solidity and the imminent return of William Saliba as reasons why the Gunners remain in a class of their own.

City will have the opportunity to cut the gap to three points before November is out, when they travel to the Emirates in what shapes up as the defining early fixture of the title race. Arsenal, however, face a demanding run of fixtures around that game, with away trips to Newcastle, Brentford, and Tottenham also on the horizon.

Should Arsenal hold their nerve, Mikel Arteta would become only the second manager in nearly two decades to retain the Premier League title — the other being Guardiola himself, whose City side now find themselves in an unexpectedly precarious position.