Former England midfielder Paul Merson has warned that Manchester City, despite their early-season surge, are unlikely to lift the Premier League trophy if they continue with their current style of play. In his latest interview, Merson dissected City’s 5-3 victory over Sunderland, a match that marked their fifth straight win under new manager Enzo Maresca, and argued that the flamboyant attacking display masks deeper defensive frailties that could be exposed by stronger opposition.
Merson began by noting the context of the league table. At the time of his comments, City were perched three points ahead of the defending champions Arsenal, who had just suffered a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Brighton. The season was about to enter a three‑week international break, and the English footballing world was buzzing with speculation about which side would ultimately dominate the title race.
"I was watching the Sunderland game and thinking, ‘If City can put on a show and beat them so convincingly, it could spark a huge momentum swing,’" Merson recalled. "Arsenal had been ripped apart, and I thought they would cruise to the title without too many setbacks. But then City’s performance against Sunderland made me change my mind – there’s simply no way they can win the league if they keep playing like that." According to Merson, the problem lies not in City’s ability to score goals – they netted five against Sunderland – but in the way they concede them. He argued that a team that relies on high‑scoring affairs without a solid defensive structure is vulnerable to being “picked apart” by top‑class opponents.
Even though Sunderland are not renowned for their attacking prowess, they managed to score three goals and could have added more, exposing City’s defensive disorganisation. Merson highlighted that City’s back line appeared “all over the place” throughout the match. He warned that such lapses are likely to catch up with them, especially when they face the league’s elite clubs. "You can’t keep scoring loads of goals to win football matches," he said.
"You have to be able to defend consistently. The best teams will exploit any weakness, and City’s current defensive instability is a serious concern." He also reflected on Enzo Maresca’s managerial style, recalling the coach’s previous stint at Chelsea. "Maresca is not a chaos manager," Merson noted.
"He prefers structure and order, and the chaotic nature of this performance would not sit well with him." Merson did not dismiss City’s ability to win individual games, citing their famous 10‑man victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. However, he argued that such results are often situational. "When you’re reduced to ten men, the pressure eases a bit, and a team can sit back and rely on a few key players like Erling Haaland to break the deadlock.
But over a full 90‑minute season, you need balance on both ends of the pitch." Turning his attention to Arsenal, Merson questioned manager Mikel Arteta’s tactical choices, particularly the decision to start Bruno Guimarães instead of Myles Lewis‑Skelly in the recent Brighton match. He speculated that Arteta might have been concerned about fatigue after a tough 2‑0 loss to Manchester United earlier in the week, but he remained puzzled by the switch. "Bruno is a brilliant player, especially in a low‑block system where his passing range and intelligence shine," Merson said.
"However, against a team that dominates possession, you need someone who can keep the ball moving at a higher tempo." Merson praised Guimarães’s technical abilities, recalling his impressive substitute appearance against Aston Villa, where he demonstrated composure, clever one‑twos, and an ability to dictate the pace of the game. Yet he stressed that individual talent cannot compensate for a flawed team structure.
"You can have an international star with all the accolades, but if the collective unit is out‑of‑shape, the result will still be disappointing," he warned. He concluded by commending Brighton for their performance, describing them as “absolutely brilliant” and deserving of credit for their tactical discipline. "When a team like Brighton executes a well‑organised game plan, it shows that structure can beat flair," Merson said.
"Arsenal need to learn from that and tighten up both defensively and strategically if they want to stay ahead of City in the title race." In summary, Paul Merson’s analysis suggests that while Manchester City may continue to rack up high‑scoring wins in the short term, their long‑term prospects of clinching the Premier League are doubtful unless they address their defensive vulnerabilities and adopt a more balanced approach. Likewise, Arsenal’s managerial decisions will be under scrutiny as the season progresses, with the need for tactical clarity becoming ever more critical. The upcoming international break will provide both teams with a chance to regroup, but the real test will come when the league resumes and the top clubs clash in the decisive weeks ahead.