Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, with the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League cut to two points after Manchester City won
Paul Scholes has tipped Manchester City to clinch the Premier League title, insisting Arsenal have “no chance until they start winning big games”. Mikel Arteta’s men have established themselves as strong contenders for the crown, having surged to the summit after 15 fixtures.
Yet the Gunners encountered a stumbling block in their title charge as they succumbed to a dramatic 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa on Saturday. Despite Leandro Trossard equalising Matty Cash’s opener, Emiliano Buendia netted a stoppage-time winner to inflict Arteta’s men’s first defeat since August.
With second-placed Manchester City securing victory, Arsenal’s advantage at the Premier League summit has been reduced to two points, whilst Villa sit three points adrift of the Gunners in third. The championship race appears to have burst wide open, though Arsenal have the ideal opportunity to bounce back this weekend.
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The Gunners welcome rock-bottom and winless Wolves, whilst City face the challenging-looking journey to an in-form Crystal Palace and Villa travel to a resurgent West Ham.
Nevertheless, Scholes has backed City to secure the title. The Manchester United legend reckons that Pep Guardiola’s outfit will emerge victorious unless Arsenal deliver in “big games”.
“Man City have a great chance now, don’t they?” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast. “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.
“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.
“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.”
Nicky Butt shares the same view backing City. “I did say I fancied Man City for the title about a month ago. They’re suddenly clicking,” Butt said.
“The reason I think Man City will win the league is Pep [Guardiola]. He’s got the experience. I can see him winning the league this year and then leaving.”
Arsenal face Club Brugge away in the Champions League on Wednesday next. The Gunners boast a flawless record in Europe’s premier club competition this season, winning all five league phase matches to date. A hectic festive schedule awaits, with fixtures against Wolves, Everton, Palace, Brighton and Villa crammed into a fortnight.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
