Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri heaps pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City

LEICESTER manager Claudio Ranieri says Arsenal are his favourites to win the Premier League.

 

Leicester are top of the Premier League but Claudio Ranieri believes Arsenal will win the title

 

Ranieri believes the Gunners will lift the title despite the fact his Foxes are top of the table at Christmas.

Five of the last six clubs to lead the top flight on Christmas Day have gone all the way, but Ranieri is tipping Arsene Wenger's men who are two points behind Leicester in second.

"I agree with these people when they say Arsenal is the favourite or City is the favourite," he said. "For me, Arsenal are favourites.

 

"We are a young team, it's the first time we're top of the league, we aren't used to staying there.

"For this reason it's important for me they don't think about it. It's like a climber. If you look below you think, 'Oh my God!'"

Ranieri has urged Foxes fans to keep on dreaming of a title challenge but has told his players they can perform pressure-free for the rest of the season.

"The pressure is on the big teams," said Ranieri, who took over the Foxes after their remarkable escape from relegation last season.

 

"Leicester had the pressure last season in this period - bad stress. Now, no. Now they must enjoy. They must play free, without pressure. We should enjoy."

Ranieri believes Leicester's surprise position at the top has captured the imagination if the public.

And the 64-year-old says he feels like Father Christmas after leading his club to the top a year after they sat bottom of the table on Christmas Day.

"I hope to be Father Christmas," he said. "I am very happy that the fans are happy this Christmas Day.

 

"When the team is in trouble, the fans are very worried. When the team does well, they are very happy.

"Now we have to play Liverpool, Manchester City and then Bournemouth, who are in great form, then Tottenham.

"If we get through this fantastic moment and we are still top, not only Leicester fans will be behind us, but a lot of English fans as well, because I think Leicester are a likeable team.

"Maybe the people will say, 'If my team don't win, I'm very happy if Leicester win'. And this is a good thing."