Paul Scholes: Arsenal May Lead the Table, but Manchester City

Bornheimer – Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has once again stirred the Premier League debate by claiming that Arsenal, despite sitting comfortably at the top of the table, are not his favorites to win the title. Instead, he remains confident that Manchester City will emerge as champions.
At the moment, Arsenal are leading the league by four points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side. The Gunners recently dropped two crucial points in a 2-2 draw against Sunderland, while City capitalized on that result with a dominant 3-0 victory over Liverpool. Scholes believes this swing of momentum could mark the beginning of a shift in the title race.

The Experience Factor That Keeps City Ahead

While acknowledging Arsenal’s current success, Scholes insists that experience remains a decisive factor in the long run. For him, Manchester City’s proven mentality in high-pressure situations gives them a crucial edge over Mikel Arteta’s youthful squad.
“I still think Manchester City are slightly ahead of Arsenal because of what they’ve achieved,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. “Yes, Arsenal have a four-point lead, but City’s experience and the lack of it in Arsenal’s squad make all the difference.”
Scholes pointed out that winning the Premier League requires not only talent but also the composure that comes from years of handling title pressure — something City has mastered under Guardiola.

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Manchester City Finally Finding Their Form

Earlier in the season, Scholes admitted he was not impressed by City’s performances. They looked inconsistent and far from their best. However, that changed after their commanding win over Liverpool, which reminded everyone of their championship pedigree.
“I wasn’t that impressed with City before,” Scholes said, “but yesterday, for the first time, I thought they looked like genuine title contenders.”
He added that City’s intensity, tactical control, and ruthless finishing against a strong opponent like Liverpool showed that they have entered their best phase of the season — a worrying sign for their rivals.

Arsenal’s Challenge: Turning Potential into Consistency

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have shown remarkable progress compared to previous seasons. Their attacking football, young core, and resilience have made them one of the most exciting teams in Europe. However, consistency remains their biggest test.
While the Gunners have displayed moments of brilliance, their inability to kill off matches — such as the recent draw against Sunderland — shows that they still lack the maturity needed to maintain a title charge under pressure. For Scholes, Arsenal’s challenge is not about talent but about sustaining focus when the season enters its decisive months.

Fowler Rules Out Liverpool from Title Contention

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler shared his own, rather blunt, assessment of the title race. While Scholes still sees City as favorites, Fowler has gone further by declaring that Liverpool are already out of contention.
After their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, Liverpool now sit eight points behind the leaders. According to Fowler, history suggests that teams with multiple defeats at this stage rarely recover to win the league. “I’m more of a realist,” Fowler said. “History tells us only a few teams have ever won the Premier League after six or seven losses.”

Liverpool’s Struggles and the “Impossible Task”

Fowler dismissed claims that Liverpool had rediscovered their rhythm after recent wins over Real Madrid and Aston Villa. For him, those results were not enough to mask the team’s ongoing inconsistency.
“It’s going to be very difficult for Liverpool,” Fowler emphasized. “If they want to win the league now, they’ll have to win almost every remaining game. They can’t even afford to draw.”
He highlighted that Liverpool’s performance against Aston Villa, despite the victory, exposed their fragility. “They played well for only 45 minutes,” he added. “That’s not enough for a team with title ambitions.”

Manchester City’s Winning DNA Remains Unmatched

Manchester City’s dominance in recent years has been built on a winning mentality that very few teams can replicate. Under Pep Guardiola, they have developed a system that blends tactical discipline with creativity. Their ability to recover from setbacks and finish seasons strongly has become a defining trait.
Scholes believes that this mentality is precisely what separates City from their competitors. “They’ve been there before and know what it takes,” he noted. “Arsenal are a great team, but City have a habit of turning up when it really matters.”

The Mental Battle That Will Define the Title Race

As the season heads into its final stretch, the Premier League title race looks set to be as much psychological as it is tactical. Arsenal must prove that they can handle the pressure of being chased by an experienced powerhouse like Manchester City. Every draw or slip-up could shift the balance dramatically.
Meanwhile, City’s focus, consistency, and depth in the squad make them a formidable force. For Arteta’s men, matching that composure and experience could be their toughest challenge yet.

Scholes and Fowler: Different Views, One Conclusion

Though both legends see things differently, their conclusions align in one crucial aspect: Manchester City remain the team to beat. Scholes believes City’s experience will ultimately prevail, while Fowler argues that Liverpool’s inconsistent form leaves them out of the equation entirely.
In essence, both agree that Arsenal’s fairytale run will face its biggest test as the season reaches its climax — a test of resilience, maturity, and faith.

Fans Await the Season’s Defining Moments

The Premier League is known for its unpredictability, and this season is no exception. With Arsenal’s youthful energy and City’s seasoned dominance, football fans are in for a thrilling finish. The next few weeks could decide whether Arteta’s men can rewrite history or if Guardiola’s machine will once again prove unstoppable.
As Paul Scholes said, “The title isn’t won in March — it’s won in May.” The countdown to glory has begun, and only time will tell whether experience or ambition will triumph.