Paul Scholes Makes Bold Premier League Title Prediction Ahead of Arsenal vs Manchester United
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has delivered a striking forecast for the Premier League title race, suggesting that Arsenal could "canter" to victory this season. This comes despite the Gunners' indifferent performances against their closest rivals in the division.
Arsenal's Commanding Lead and Title Credentials
Arsenal currently hold a substantial seven-point advantage at the summit of the Premier League table as they prepare to face Manchester United this weekend. The North London club, who last secured the league crown back in 2004, were widely considered second or third favourites prior to the campaign's commencement, trailing behind reigning champions Liverpool and perennial contenders Manchester City.
However, a dramatic shift in fortunes has unfolded. Liverpool's alarming dip in form towards the conclusion of the previous calendar year, coupled with Manchester City's own recent struggles, has handed Mikel Arteta's squad a seemingly unassailable position in the title chase. This unexpected turn of events has fundamentally altered the landscape of the competition.
The Lingering Critique of Arsenal's Big-Game Record
The primary reservation surrounding Arsenal's championship aspirations has been their underwhelming record in matches against the league's other elite sides. Thus far this season, Arteta's team have contested five of their six scheduled league fixtures against the current top four—Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Liverpool—but have managed to secure victory on only a single occasion.
Scholes initially believed this specific statistic would prove decisive for Arsenal's title hopes. In an interview for The Overlap Fan Debate with Sky Bet, the ex-England international remarked, "One thing Arsenal haven't done is they haven't won a big game, beat a Liverpool or a Man City, they still haven't done it. And I said earlier in the season that I can't see them winning the league unless they start beating those types of teams."
Why Scholes Now Believes It Might Not Matter
Scholes has since revised his opinion, citing the inconsistent and faltering form of the chasing pack as a critical factor. He elaborated, "But looking at how many points Liverpool and City are dropping, I don't think they are going to have to. I think it could be a canter for them. In other years gone by, City or Liverpool would be closer, and that's the time when you have to win those games."
This perspective suggests that the traditional requirement to directly overcome title rivals may be rendered less significant this season, given the points cushion Arsenal have established and the inability of their competitors to maintain consistent pressure.
The Weekend Challenge: A Resurgent Manchester United
Arsenal's immediate obstacle is a visit from Scholes' former club, Manchester United. The Red Devils will enter the match with renewed confidence following an impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester City in Michael Carrick's first outing as interim head coach.
Scholes analysed that performance, noting the return of key players from the African Cup of Nations and the solid partnership of Harry Maguire alongside Lisandro Martínez. He also speculated on Carrick's long-term prospects, drawing a parallel to Ole Gunnar Solskjær's interim period. "Like what happened with Ole Gunnar Solskjær, if Carrick does well until the end of the season, United fans will demand it [that he stays] – especially if he gets to second or third," Scholes observed.
This weekend's clash therefore presents a fascinating subplot, pitting a title-chasing Arsenal against a Manchester United side eager to build momentum under new temporary leadership and potentially disrupt the Gunners' path to glory.
