Paul Merson has openly expressed his belief that Manchester City, despite sitting atop the Premier League table, have "no way" of clinching the championship if they continue with their current style of play. The former England midfielder made his comments after City’s dazzling 5-3 victory over Sunderland, which marked their fifth successive win of the campaign under the guidance of Enzo Maresca. Maresca’s side have now pulled three points clear of defending champions Arsenal, who suffered a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Brighton on Saturday, as the league pauses for a three‑week international break. In a candid interview, Merson broke down why he thinks the Citizens’ march to the title is far from guaranteed.
"I was watching the Sunderland match and thought, ‘If City can put on a show like that and beat Sunderland so convincingly, it could spark a huge momentum swing,’" Merson recalled. "Arsenal had been completely out‑classed – they deserved that loss – and I imagined they would cruise to the league crown without dropping many points. Was I wrong? Absolutely.
When I saw City’s performance, I thought, ‘No, there’s no way they win the league.’" According to Merson, scoring a flood of goals is not enough to guarantee success. "You can’t just rely on fire‑power to win games," he warned. "Top‑level teams will expose any defensive frailties, and a side that concedes too many chances will eventually be caught out, especially when they face the elite clubs." Sunderland, while not known for prolific scoring, managed three goals against City and could have added more. Merson pointed out that City’s defensive organisation was “all over the place” in that match, a weakness that could be exploited by stronger opponents.
He stressed that consistency at the back is essential if the Citizens hope to maintain their lead. Merson also reflected on Enzo Maresca’s managerial style, recalling his time at Chelsea. "Maresca isn’t a chaos‑loving manager; he prefers structure and discipline. The way City played against Sunderland was chaotic, and that’s not the blueprint for a title‑winning side," he said.
He acknowledged City’s impressive 2-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, noting that the victory came after United were reduced to ten men. "When you’re playing 11‑against‑10, the pressure eases a bit. It’s easier to dominate, especially if you have a striker like Erling Haaland leading the line.
But in a full‑strength 11‑vs‑11 game, United were clearly the superior side." Shifting focus to Arsenal, Merson questioned manager Mikel Arteta’s tactical decision to start Bruno Guimarães instead of Myles Lewis‑Skelly in the recent Brighton fixture. He wondered whether Arteta anticipated a more defensive encounter or was concerned about fatigue after Arsenal’s comeback from 2-0 down against United earlier in the week. "Bruno is an excellent player, especially in a low‑block system where his passing range and intelligence shine. However, when you aim to dominate possession, you need a different type of midfielder.
Arteta’s choice seemed puzzling, particularly after Bruno’s impressive cameo against Aston Villa, where he controlled the tempo and linked play beautifully," Merson explained. He clarified that he does not blame Guimarães for Arsenal’s defeat, but he is perplexed by the substitution in such a critical match. "You can have world‑class talent and a shelf full of accolades, but if the team is forced to sit back and protect a lead, the dynamics of the game change entirely," he added.
Merson praised Brighton’s performance, calling them “absolutely brilliant” and deserving of credit for their tactical execution. He emphasized that any team capable of out‑working an opponent, especially in midfield, can cause trouble for even the most star‑studded sides. In summary, Merson’s analysis suggests that while Manchester City have the firepower to win games, their defensive lapses and occasional lack of tactical discipline could hinder their title ambitions.
Likewise, Arsenal’s managerial choices and occasional midfield imbalances may affect their ability to stay ahead in the race. As the season progresses beyond the international break, both clubs will need to tighten up defensively and make astute tactical decisions if they hope to claim the Premier League crown.
Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.