Paul Merson has voiced a stark opinion about the Premier League leaders Manchester City, insisting that the club has "no way" of clinching the championship if they persist with their current style of play. Merson’s comments came after City continued their impressive start to the campaign under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, registering a 5-3 victory over Sunderland to make it five wins from five matches.
Maresca’s side now sit three points clear of the defending champions Arsenal, who suffered a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Brighton on Saturday. The league is about to pause for a three‑week international break, and Merson used the lull to explain why he believes Arsenal remain the team most likely to retain the top spot this season.
"I was watching the game and thinking, ‘If Manchester City put on a show and beat Sunderland convincingly, there could be a big momentum swing.’" Merson recalled. "Arsenal had been ripped to shreds, fully deserved.
I thought they’d win the league comfortably and not lose many games. Have I got this wrong?" His answer came when the final whistle blew on the Sunderland match. "Then I saw City against Sunderland and thought, ‘No.
There’s no way Manchester City win the league.’" He went on to explain his reasoning in detail. Merson argued that scoring a lot of goals alone does not guarantee success. "You can’t keep piling on goals to win matches.
That kind of football is unsustainable at the highest level. The best teams will eventually expose the weaknesses," he said.
While Sunderland are not known for prolific scoring, they managed three goals against City and could have added more, highlighting defensive frailties that Merson believes will be exploited by stronger opposition. He praised City’s attacking flair but warned that their defensive organization was “all over the place”. "When you face the big clubs, those defensive lapses catch up with you quickly," Merson warned. He also referenced Maresca’s reputation from his time at Chelsea, noting that the manager prefers structure over chaos and would be displeased with a disordered performance.
Merson also touched on City’s recent triumph over Manchester United at Old Trafford, where they played with ten men after a red card. "That win was easier because United struggled with the numerical disadvantage. In a full‑strength 11‑vs‑11 game, United were clearly the superior side," he argued. He added that when a team is reduced to ten men, the pressure eases and it becomes harder for a side like City to break down a compact defensive block, especially when a player of Erling Haaland is left up front.
Shifting focus to Arsenal, Merson questioned manager Mikel Arteta’s tactical choices, particularly the decision to start Bruno Guimarães instead of Myles Lewis‑Skelly in the Brighton fixture. "I wonder if Arteta thought it would be a more entertaining match or if he expected Brighton to be fatigued after coming back from a 2‑0 deficit against Manchester United," he speculated. Merson noted that Arsenal were out‑run and overrun in midfield, which contributed to their heavy defeat.
Despite his criticism, Merson praised Guimarães as a quality player. "If you’re playing a low block, his skill set fits perfectly. When you dominate possession, he’s one of the best passers with great intelligence.
He can hold the ball, make one‑twos and dictate tempo," Merson said, recalling Guimarães’ impressive substitute appearance against Aston Villa where he showcased composure and technical ability. Merson clarified that he does not blame Guimarães for Arsenal’s loss. "I’m not pointing fingers at Bruno. I just don’t understand why Arteta altered the lineup in such a difficult game," he said.
He emphasized that even world‑class players can be neutralised if the opposition presses aggressively and forces them to retreat. He concluded by acknowledging Brighton’s performance, describing them as “absolutely brilliant” and deserving of credit.
"When a team like Brighton executes their game plan flawlessly, it’s a completely different match. They showed why they belong among the league’s best," Merson observed. In summary, Paul Merson’s analysis suggests that Manchester City’s current approach, while entertaining and goal‑rich, lacks the defensive solidity required to outlast the elite clubs over a full season.
Conversely, Arsenal’s tactical decisions and occasional lapses in midfield cohesion have left them vulnerable, despite their position at the top of the table. As the international break approaches, the coming weeks will reveal whether City can tighten their defense and whether Arsenal can maintain consistency to keep their title hopes alive.