Former England midfielder Paul Merson has warned that Manchester City’s current brand of football is unlikely to deliver the Premier League crown this season. In his view, the Citizens’ recent 5-3 victory over Sunderland, which marked a flawless five‑match winning streak under the stewardship of Enzo Maresca, masks deeper vulnerabilities that will be exposed when they face stronger opposition. Merson pointed out that City sit three points clear of the defending champions Arsenal as the league pauses for a three‑week international break, but he remains sceptical about their ability to maintain the lead. He explained, "I was watching the Sunderland game and thought, if City can produce such an attacking display and win convincingly, maybe they could generate a huge momentum swing.
But then I saw how the match unfolded and realised there is simply no way they can win the league if they continue playing the way they do." According to Merson, scoring a plethora of goals is not enough; a team must also possess defensive solidity and tactical balance. He noted that Sunderland, while not renowned for high‑scoring output, managed three goals against City and could have added more, highlighting a defensive frailty that could be exploited by top‑tier clubs. "You can’t keep piling on goals and expect to win the title," he said.
"The best teams will pick you apart if you leave gaps at the back." Merson also reflected on the broader context of the season, recalling Arsenal’s recent 3-0 defeat to Brighton and how that loss kept the Gunners in the title race despite the setback. He suggested that Arsenal’s consistency, rather than sheer firepower, is what keeps them in control of the league.
"Arsenal were ripped apart, but they still remain in contention because they have a more balanced approach," he observed. The former midfielder drew a comparison between City’s performance against Sunderland and their earlier triumph over Manchester United at Old Trafford, where they played with ten men after a red card.
While City managed to edge out United, Merson argued that the victory was not as impressive as it seemed. "When you are down to ten versus eleven, the pressure eases a bit. City’s dominance in that game was partly due to the numerical advantage, not because they were playing flawless football," he explained. Merson also touched on Enzo Maresca’s managerial style, recalling his time at Chelsea and emphasizing that Maresca prefers order over chaos.
He believes the Italian coach would be displeased with a chaotic, high‑scoring but defensively lax performance. "Maresca is not a chaos manager.
He likes structure, and the way City were all over the place defensively against Sunderland would not sit well with him," Merson said. Shifting focus to Arsenal, Merson questioned manager Mikel Arteta’s tactical choices, particularly the decision to start Bruno Guimarães instead of Myles Lewis‑Skelley in the match against Brighton. He speculated that Arteta might have been trying to conserve energy after a grueling 2-0 loss to Manchester United earlier in the week, but he remained unconvinced. "Bruno is a brilliant player, especially in a low‑block system where his passing range shines.
However, when you aim to dominate possession, you need a different profile. It seemed like a puzzling choice given the circumstances," Merson remarked. Merson praised Guimarães’s technical ability, noting his composure on the ball, intelligent movement, and capacity to dictate tempo. He recalled Guimarães’s impact as a substitute against Aston Villa, where he displayed excellent ball retention and one‑two combinations.
Nevertheless, Merson clarified that he does not blame Guimarães for Arsenal’s defeat, but rather questions the overall strategic shift made by Arteta during a critical moment. The former player concluded by emphasizing that talent alone cannot guarantee success.
Even world‑class internationals can be neutralized if a team applies intense pressure and forces them into uncomfortable positions. "You can have all the accolades, but if opponents close you down and make you keep your head down, the game becomes entirely different," he said. In summary, Paul Merson’s analysis suggests that Manchester City’s attacking flair, while entertaining, is insufficient without defensive discipline and tactical coherence.
He believes Arsenal’s more balanced approach, coupled with strategic adjustments, keeps them firmly in the title hunt. As the Premier League resumes after the international break, both clubs will need to address these concerns if they hope to claim the coveted championship.