Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has pinpointed one reason why he thinks Arsenal are not the hands-down favorites to win the Premier League this season. The Gunners still sit atop the league table despite a 2-1 loss against Aston Villa on Dec. 6.
So, why does Scholes think the Gunners can’t hold onto that position until the season concludes?
Paul Scholes Thinks Arsenal Need To Start Winning Big Games To Win Titles
Scholes is of the view that Arsenal’s inability to get across the line in ‘big games’ — matches against the top teams and direct title contenders — could cost them again this term. Apart from the loss against Aston Villa, the Gunners drew 1-1 against Manchester City and Chelsea, and lost 1-0 against Liverpool earlier this season.
“Man City have a great chance now, don’t they? I still don’t think they’re quite right but they always get better in the second-half of the season and the thing with Arsenal is they can’t win a big game. Until they start winning big games they’ve got no chance of winning the league”, said Scholes on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast (via Football365).
“They lost to Liverpool, they couldn’t beat Man City at home when they were struggling. Aston Villa are a good team, don’t get me wrong, but Arsenal just can’t win big games. They couldn’t beat Chelsea after they went down to ten men”, he added.
Scholes then discussed Manchester City’s pedigree and how they possess the experience and know-how to see things through to the finish line. The Citizens have won five of the last seven league titles. They are currently at 31 points from 15 matches — just two points and one place behind Arsenal.
“If you’re going to win the league you’ve got to start winning some big games, you’ve got to beat your rivals, and they can’t do it. Historically Man City always get better after January. They were in the Club World Cup so they didn’t really have a pre-season”, Scholes said.
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Gary Neville Still Thinks Arsenal Are Favorites for the League Title Over Manchester City
Gary Neville feels Arsenal still have the ‘favorites’ tag going into a busy December period despite Manchester City breathing down their necks. The former Manchester United right-back feels that City’s current team isn’t as formidable as the teams that won them the league under Pep Guardiola in recent years.
“Man City give you a chance. The teams of Manchester City that won the league all those years on the run didn’t give you much of a chance at all. [But now] every time I’ve watched them I think, ‘yeah you’ve got a chance of scoring goals [against them]. They’ll get a bloody nose from a time or two”, he said (via Sky Sports).
Neville, however, stated that Arsenal must remain consistent. After their midweek games in Europe, Arsenal take on bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at home on Dec. 13, while Manchester City travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace the following day.
“But Arsenal are going to have to be reliable and consistent as they have been in the first part of the season to win the league… Christmas is an important period. There’s loads of points to play for. Massive month, December, with more Premier League games than ordinarily in any other month. City should be encouraged, but I still think that Arsenal are favourites – but not as much as I did maybe a week or so ago!” said Neville.
It is worth noting that both the Gunners and City are active in all four competitions this season, with six and five fixtures remaining, respectively, as of December.
