Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has issued a definitive verdict on the 2025/26 Premier League title race, asserting that Arsenal are destined to claim the crown regardless of the obstacles in their path. Speaking on the Wednesday, March 4, 2026, episode of his popular Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former England captain noted a shift in the Gunners’ mentality that he believes will finally end their long wait for a domestic championship. As the league enters Matchday 29, Mikel Arteta’s squad currently holds a vital five-point cushion over defending champions Manchester City, with both titans set for crucial midweek fixtures tonight.
Ferdinand’s analysis suggests that the North London side has developed a “win-at-all-costs” attitude that has been absent in previous failed campaigns. Arsenal face a challenging trip to Brighton tonight, while Manchester City host Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium, with the results likely to further refine the odds of a first Arsenal title in over two decades. For Ferdinand, the significance of this potential victory extends far beyond a single trophy; he views a successful 2026 campaign as the catalyst for a new era of dominance at the Emirates.
“I think Arsenal will win this title by hook or by crook,” Ferdinand said. “They will win it by any means necessary. I think the following year, with that confidence and the silverware, they become a different beast altogether and even more of a harder team to play against.”
The pundit’s comments reflect a growing consensus that Arsenal have finally found the tactical grit to match their technical prowess. After finishing as runners-up for three consecutive seasons, the experience of past heartbreaks appears to have forged a more resilient unit under Arteta. Ferdinand argued that once the “seal is broken” with a major trophy, the psychological barrier will vanish, transforming the current squad into a formidable, long-term force in European football.
“Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, believes that Arsenal will win the Premier League title by any means possible. Ferdinand made the prediction while talking on the recent episode of his podcast. Ahead of Wednesday’s fixtures, Mikel Arteta’s hold a five-point lead over Manchester City. Arsenal are away to Brighton and City welcome Nottingham Forest as the title race hots up.”
As the title race reaches its most intense phase, the pressure is on the Gunners to maintain their consistency during a grueling March schedule. With the gap currently standing at five points—though City possess a game in hand against Crystal Palace—Ferdinand remains steadfast in his belief that the momentum has shifted permanently toward the red side of London. Whether through clinical brilliance or the “hook or by crook” grit he described, the Manchester United icon is convinced that 2026 is the year the Premier League trophy returns to the capital.
About the Author
