Micah Richards, a Manchester City player, has pinpointed “problems” that he believes Liverpool and Arsenal will have in the Premier League title race.

The Premier League title race this season is shaping up nicely after only Manchester City and Arsenal made a meaningful challenge in 2022/23.

Man City started the season slowly, but they are now building momentum, as they usually do at this stage in the season.

Man City are third in the rankings, two points behind leaders Liverpool, who play Newcastle United on New Year’s Day.

Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal have all dropped points in recent weeks, reinforcing Manchester City’s status as the favorite to win the Premier League for the second time.

Man City, according to Richards, will “put that run together” and break away from their Premier League championship opponents.

“[Man City] have fallen short of the expectations that they set in previous seasons,” Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast.

“But you know they’re going to put that together in five, ten, or fifteen games because of the quality of the players and the manager.” Don’t we all know it’s going to happen? That is the problem.

“It is very difficult to criticise them until it gets to March and April and they mathematically can’t win the league.”

“The big question mark is Salah going to the Africa Cup of Nations,” Richards added. Can they close the gap? I think they can.

“They won a lot of games the last time Salah went.” They can win without him. When Jota plays, he always scores, and Diaz appears to be back in form.”

Richards believes that signing a new striker this month is “imperative” for Arsenal.

“The only issue with Arsenal is that you have Saka, Martinelli, and Jesus, who affects the play by being involved in the game and working extremely hard, but he is not a true goalscorer.” As a result, you’ll need to bring in a striker,” Richards continued.

“If I were Arsenal right now, I’d go out and buy a striker.” It is necessary.

“Last season, Saliba was injured for parts of the season, and the difference between Man City and Arsenal is that City can lose Haaland and De Bruyne and still maintain their lead.” Arsenal should have taken the lead, but they haven’t because they lack a deadly striker.”