Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice applaud fans after the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Paul Merson believes Arsenal now have the “togetherness” to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title, but it is a quality Manchester United lack.
Liverpool are the only team to have usurped City in the last seven seasons, winning the 2019/20 title.
However, Arsenal have come close, finishing second in each of the last two seasons and only missing out on the title on the final day of last year. The north London outfit have not lifted the title since their unbeaten 2003/04 season.
The Gunners took a 2-1 half-time lead at Man City on Sunday, but had to fight for the entire second half with 10 men after Leandro Trossard’s red card.
Mikel Arteta’s men held out until the eighth minute of stoppage time before John Stones finally equalized for the hosts, but that has not stopped Arsenal earning widespread praise for their spirited performance.
Arsenal have ‘togetherness’ to challenge for PL title
Former Arsenal star Merson believes “togetherness” is the key quality to winning league titles and it’s something his former club now have along with City and Liverpool.
However, the 21-time England international also believes Man Utd, currently 11th in the table, lack that team spirit.
“Arsenal have a union and you have to have a union to win leagues,” Merson wrote in his column for Sky Sports. “They have it in abundance and so do Manchester City. I think Liverpool have it too but, and I don’t want to pick a team, I don’t see it in Manchester United, for example.
“It’s what you need to win league trophies, and Arsenal are firmly on course this season.
“They are a huge threat to Man City and City don’t know it. Pep Guardiola would have liked to win that game on Sunday and put five points between them and the Gunners.
“It’s been a massive week for Arsenal and they topped it with a win at Spurs and a point at City. Then there’s Rodri’s injury. He’s the best in the business for sure. He’ll be missed. Also Liverpool are in. With their draw at the Etihad and their win against Bournemouth, they are still there.
“I think we will see Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool fighting all season, until the end. But the key will be Arsenal and Liverpool keeping all their players fit. Man City have shown they can miss a couple of players and he’ll still have easy games where he can get big wins. I’m not so sure it’s that easy for Liverpool and Arsenal. That’s the difference between them and everyone else.”
Top photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
