“You have to put them slightly ahead” - Paul Scholes snubs Arsenal and picks favourites to win Premier League title

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes reckons Manchester City could win the Premier League title, ahead of leaders Arsenal, despite trailing by four points, in second, after 11 games.

Mikel Arteta's side were on course for a sixth straight league win at the weekend when they recovered from a goal down against Sunderland at the break to lead with 16 minutes remaining. However, a 94th-minute equaliser from Brian Brobbey snapped their winning run.

Meanwhile, City provided an emphatic reminder of their title credentials with a clinical 3-0 dismantling of holders Liverpool at home in manager Pep Guardiola's 1000th managerial game.

With the Cityzens winning six of the last seven titles before Liverpool's 2024-25 triumph, Scholes believes they could be title challengers again this season after a forgettable last campaign. The Englishman said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast (via The Metro):

"I’ve not been impressed by City that much, but yesterday (against Liverpool), I thought for the first time they’re going to be (challengers). I think they’re slightly still favourites ahead of Arsenal, because of what they’ve done.

"I know Arsenal are four points clear, but with the experience they’ve got and Arsenal haven’t. You have to put them (City) slightly ahead of them."

The Gunners haven't won the Premier League since their historic 'Invincibles' campaign under the legendary Arsene Wenger in 2003-04. Since then, they have finished second five times, including the last three seasons, ending behind City (twice) and Liverpool.

A look at Arsenal's 2025-26 season so far

Arsenal are in the midst of a superb campaign, winning 14 of 17 games across competitions, losing just once, a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool in the Premier League on matchday three.

The aforementioned draw at Sunderland ended the Gunners' impressive 10-game winning streak across competitions. They will look to embark on another streak when they return to action following the international break with a north London home derby against Tottenham Hotspur on November 23 in the league.

The Gunners are also alive in the EFL Cup - where they take on Crystal Palace in the quarter-final on December 23. Meanwhile, in the UEFA Champions League, they trail leaders Bayern Munich on goals scored, incredibly not conceding in four straight wins.

Last season, Mikel Arteta's side reached the semi-finals of the continental competition for the first time in nearly two decades, falling 3-1 on aggregate to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Edited by Bhargav