Manchester City midfielder Rodri says it will be “impossible” to catch Arsenal at the top of the table if the Gunners manage to maintain the pace they have set so far.

The reigning champions remain five points behind Mikel Arteta’s side after both teams lost last weekend, and asked to assess the title race, Rodri says his club have a tough task on their hands:

“Every year it’s more complicated, the level of this league is tremendous and you have to win it with almost 90-odd points. We are calm, we know that there is a lot left and we are going in the right direction… It is true that Arsenal have had an impressive first half of the season. Obviously, if they maintain that level and are capable of doing the same in the second half, it will be impossible.”

Rodri is right about the momentum that Arsenal have built up in the first half of the season. 50 points after 20 games means they are averaging 2.5 points per match. If they carry on that trajectory, they will reach 95 points by the final day in May.

Of course, as we saw last Saturday against Everton, it will be hard for the Gunners to maintain the same levels throughout the campaign. Their squad is not the biggest and most of their players have not experienced the pressure of a title battle.

However, City have not been themselves this season either, and if they put in similar performances like the one against Tottenham last time out, there is no chance that they will catch the current league leaders.

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