Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has claimed that Manchester City now holds the destiny of the Premier League trophy in their own hands, asserting that a flawless finish to the season will see them overtake the Gunners. His comments come as Pep Guardiola’s side prepares for a high-stakes encounter against Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday. Despite Arsenal currently maintaining a five-point cushion at the summit, City’s game in hand provides a clear mathematical path to leapfrog Mikel Arteta’s squad as the campaign enters its final stretch.
The current standings show Arsenal at the top with 58 points from 27 matches, while Manchester City sits closely behind with 53 points from 26 games. The momentum appears to have shifted following a difficult fortnight for the North London side, who surrendered late leads in consecutive draws against Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Merson noted that the speed at which the title race has tightened has taken many observers by surprise, transforming what once looked like an Arsenal procession into a neck-and-neck battle for the silverware.
“If Manchester City win every game from now on, they win the league title. Three weeks ago, you could never have thought it would be this way. It’s quite unbelievable how Arsenal have slipped up,” Merson shared during an interview with Sportskeeda.
With fewer than 12 fixtures remaining in the 2025/26 season, the margin for error has virtually disappeared for both contenders. City’s upcoming schedule includes potentially decisive clashes against bottom-four opposition, while Arsenal faces a grueling run that features a North London Derby this Sunday and a monumental trip to the Etihad Stadium in April. Merson believes that City’s historical experience in navigating high-pressure run-ins gives them a distinct psychological edge over an Arsenal squad that is currently showing signs of defensive frailty.
As the footballing world focuses on the Etihad this weekend, the pressure remains squarely on the defending champions to secure maximum points and reduce the gap to a mere two points before Arsenal takes the field on Sunday. For Arteta, the challenge involves restoring the tactical discipline that saw his team establish a nine-point lead earlier this month. If City continues their characteristic late-season surge, the “unbelievable” slip-ups Merson highlighted may well lead to a fourth consecutive title for the Manchester club.
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