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‘I’m devastated’ – Steven Gerrard warns Arsenal after failed Liverpool transfer | Football
Steven Gerrard has warned Arsenal that Manchester City are not going anywhere in the Premier League title race, especially after they beat Liverpool to a deal for Marc Guehi.
Man City went four league games without a win before beating basement boys Wolves at the weekend.
A surprising wobble from Pep Guardiola’s side gave Arsenal the chance to pull clear in the title race but the Gunners suffered two successive draws before Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United.
Those results mean Mikel Arteta’s team, bidding to win their first league title since 2004, are just four points clear at the top of the table with 15 games remaining.
It remains to be seen whether Man City can leapfrog the current title favourites but Gerrard has issued an ominous waning to Arsenal.
The Liverpool legend and ex-England midfielder insists City are ‘not too far away’ from their very best and believes they will only get stronger following a productive January transfer window.
Guardiola welcomed Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth earlier in the month before signing Crystal Palace captain Guehi for just £20m.
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Guehi was on the verge of joining Liverpool last summer before Palace pulled the plug on the deal and Gerrard says he is ‘devastated’ that the England centre-back will not be arriving at Anfield.
Asked how far Manchester City are away from their best, Gerrard told TNT Sports: ‘Not too far, not too far.
‘If you look at their January signings they’ve bolstered the squad. We were just speaking about Antoine Semenyo and how good a signing that is.
‘Marc Guehi could be really important as well – I was devastated he never came to Liverpool in all honestly because we’ve had some defensive issues.
‘Those signings will really help them and boost them. With Man City’s experience and quality, you can never write them off.
‘I think they’ll go through in the Champions League and I don’t think they’ll go away in the Premier League title race, I think they’ll be there until the end.’
Discussing his move to Man City last week, Guehi said: ‘First and foremost, it’s such an honour, such a big club to come and play for.
‘For me, I have always just been obsessed with getting better and wanting to improve and that’s something I am constantly striving for and this is the perfect place for me to do that.
‘I have heard so much about the club and the fans, the players speak for themselves, the manager. It’s definitely the right environment for me to improve and just get better.
‘Hopefully I can bring what I have to the table to help every single person here too.’
Man City director of football Hugo Viana added: ‘It is clear Marc has been one of the best defenders in English football for quite some time now, so we are absolutely delighted to bring him to City.
‘I feel we have signed a huge talent who will help us improve. He is only 25, but he has shown already he is a leader, a brilliant professional and someone desperate to improve.
‘He is strong, has exceptional defensive qualities, is an intelligent reader of the game, and brings passion and energy every time he steps onto the pitch. I am so pleased it was us he chose to join.
‘Marc is entering the prime years of his career. I am sure every City fan is excited to see how good he can be in a sky blue shirt.’
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday against Leeds United, while Manchester City visit struggling Tottenham.
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