Paul Merson predicts Premier League winner in wake of Arsenal draw at Manchester City

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Arsenal and Manchester City contested a fiery Premier League encounter on Sunday which was very much worth the hype.

The Gunners have been the Citizens’ main title rivals over the past two seasons and took the battle all the way to the final day of the 2023/24 campaign.

Although Arsenal fell just short on both occasions, they have been going from strength to strength and a proper rivalry has now emerged between themselves and Man City.

Mikel Arteta’s charges played out a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium in a game which featured a very late equaliser, a sending-off and animosity at the final whistle.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Man City, but goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes turned the game around for Arsenal.

The Gunners then had Leandro Trossard sent off deep into first-half injury time, but they very nearly hung on for all three points.

However, in the eighth minute of injury time, John Stones popped up with an equaliser that gave Pep Guardiola’s side a share of the spoils.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has now had his say on who he thinks will win the Premier League title in wake of Sunday’s four-goal thriller.

Paul Merson thinks Manchester City will still have too much for Arsenal

Merson, writing on Sky Sports, is convinced that Arsenal will be “right up there” come the end of the season.

However, he still thinks that Man City will have just enough to get over the line at the Gunners’ expense, despite Rodri’s lengthy layoff.

“Rodri is going to be a huge miss,” wrote Merson.

“With that in mind and Sunday’s result, Arsenal will be right up there come the end of the season but I still can’t see past Man City.

“You’ve just got to look at the substitutions they’re making. Jack Grealish comes on for Jeremy Doku. Phil Foden comes on. There’s no Kevin De Bruyne. John Stones comes off the bench and scores the goal.

“On Sunday, Arsenal brought on Myles Lewis-Skelly. He’s doing great and looks a good prospect coming through the ranks, but he’s just a young kid making his debut.

“It’s just a different world and that is the difference between City and the rest.”

Arsenal have what it takes to win the title

It’s worth remembering that Arsenal took on Man City without Martin Odegaard, and yet they were just seconds away from victory.

The Gunners now have the quality and the confidence to play in a manner of ways. They don’t always need to blow their opponents away; they can also play ugly.

As per James Westwood of Goal.com, the Gunners ‘will feel like City’s equals now, and rightly so, having developed the aggressive streak that had been missing in the past two campaigns.’

That’s the sign of a championship contender, and Arsenal certainly have what it takes to win the title. And while City will obviously be tough opponents, they’re not invincible.