Futbol Chronicles: Manchester City Could Overtake Arsenal for Fourth Spot

If things continue on for Manchester City the way their season started, there's a good reason to believe the Citizens would overtake Arsenal for the fourth spot in the Premiership.

Manchester City have started their new campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over the Blackburn Rovers with goals from new debutant Emmanuel Adebayor and academy graduate Stephen Ireland.

Both players are among the many talents at Manchester City, who could reap success in England and even in all of Europe if Mark Hughes successfully molds them together.

It only helps that like Arsenal, Manchester also have an academy renowned for developing younger talent as well, with players like Shawn Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland as prime examples.

Mark Hughes would be under enormous pressure to deliver for the Citizens, with both Robinho and Wright-Phillips claiming the club would compete for a place in Europe next season, most likely the Champions League.

It's a feat that Mark Hughes knows would be possible to achieve, considering the makeup of the squad comprises of players who have won the Champions League, La Liga, Confederations Cup, Premier League, FA Cup, Copa Libertadores and so on.

The players at Manchester City have the will and pedigree to win it all, and there's no reason to suggest that City won't achieve the goal of finishing in the top four. Much of that has to do with Arsenal's current state.

Arsenal are a young team on a transition, but the overemphasis on youth and inexperience is proving to be a tall order for Arsene Wenger, who's team has not won a title since 2004.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are suddenly looking like the club everyone has watch for, while the Gunners continue to drag on.

Wenger knows this, but he is steadfast and determined to see that Arsenal continues its new development while staying competitive in the Premiership.

There is no reason to suggest Arsenal would eventually struggle in the league. Such is not the case when you consider the impressive array of talent Wenger has assembled.

However, Wenger himself admitted City could possibly win the Premiership sooner rather than later. But the people who have to feel the most threatened by Manchester City's sudden rise are the club's cross-town neighbors, Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson recently admitted that it would be foolish to write off Manchester City as a contender.

This coming from the same Alex Ferguson who just over a week ago labeled City a "small club," and even went as far as to say the club weren't good enough compared to United.  Talk about a change of perspective from the wily Scotsman.

So far, it is early in the season, but all indications so far make it seem Manchester City will enjoy the benefits of winning new successes under their new ownership, but also change the outlook of the Premiership for seasons to come.