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Former England goalkeeper David James believes Manchester City will reclaim the Premier League title this season, even as he acknowledges Arsenal as the current favourites. James, a former City player, praised Mikel Arteta's Arsenal for their impressive start and disciplined play, noting their strong performance, including a win against Liverpool.
Speaking on JioHotstar, James highlighted Arsenal's 'serious and beautiful brand of football' and their minimal losses. However, his loyalty remains with his former club. "I'm rooting for Manchester City, and I really hope that they can, with Erling Haaland, get the deal done this year and get back to trophy-winning ways," he stated, despite City's recent dip after a seven-match unbeaten streak.
James also discussed the evolving nature of the Premier League, emphasizing that consistency and avoiding defeats are now paramount. He cited Leicester City's 2015-16 triumph with 81 points, contrasting it with today's 90+ point seasons. "The margin for error is almost zero now. One bad week can cost you the title," he added, stressing that modern teams prioritize not losing many games.
The former goalkeeper also touched upon the changing role of goalkeepers, who are now expected to contribute significantly to attacking play through distribution. He mentioned Liverpool's Alisson Becker and Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma as prime examples. Furthermore, James commented on the growing influence of data analytics in football, noting its impact on player assessment and team strategies, while balancing it with the sport's inherent passion.
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