Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd: Revisiting BBC pundits' Premier League top four predictions | OneFootball

Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League with a brilliant 3-2 victory over Liverpool on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s side went 1-0 and 2-1 ahead in the game but were pegged back twice by the visitors. However, Buyako Saka’s second of the game from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining sealed all three points.

It took them back one point ahead of Manchester City, who had beaten Southampton 4-0 on Saturday.

The Gunners are still very much considered underdogs to City when it comes to the Premier League title race.

But, right now, they're in the race.

Who would have predicted that at the start of the season?

Not us, that's for sure.

BBC pundits predicted the top four at the start of the season

And not 22 BBC pundits, either.

- and it's fair to say not many of them were backing Arsenal.

Unsurprisingly, 13 of the 22 thought Man City would retain their title, including Richards, Keown and Jonathan Woodgate.

Woodgate commented: “City won it last year without a striker and now they have got Haaland, who is world class. It’s a no-brainer – they have improved, so they will win it again.”

The remaining nine thought Liverpool will beat out their fierce rivals to win their second Premier League title.

Only one pundit didn't predict a Man City/Liverpool top two and that was Rob Green. The former goalkeeper suggested Manchester United would finish second, with Liverpool in third.

BBC pundits didn't predict an Arsenal title race

As for Arsenal, not a single of the 22 pundits thought Arsenal would finish in the top three. Seventeen believed Tottenham would finish in the top three with only one thinking Antonio Conte's side wouldn't come in the top four - Dion Dublin.

While nobody thought Arsenal would finish in the top three, only eight of the 22 backed them to finish fourth. Fair play to Richards, Rachel Brown-Finnis, Martin Keown, Sue Smith, Glenn Murray, Jermaine Beckford, Matt Upson and Stephen Warnock who all saw enough potential in the Gunners to qualify for the Champions League.

Maybe they're wishing they had even more faith in Arteta's young guns because fourth place is the minimum they're aiming for right now.

BBC top four predictions in full

Can Arsenal win the Premier League this season?

While many Arsenal supporters might be getting excited at the prospect of winning the league, Arteta just wants his side to continue what they're doing.

"I don’t know from me, I’m really happy where we are, and let’s try to continue to be there," the Spaniard replied when asked if Arsenal can win the title.

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