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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has explained why he believes Arsenal could have "no chance" of winning the Premier League title this season
Paul Scholes has backed Manchester City to win the Premier League title as Arsenal have "no chance until they start winning big games". Mikel Arteta's side have cemented themselves as firm favourites to win the title, having stormed to the top of the table after 15 matches.
However, the Gunners suffered a setback in their title pursuit as they fell to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa on Saturday. Although Leandro Trossard cancelled out Matty Cash's opener, Emiliano Buendia scored a stoppage-time winner to condemn Arteta's men to a first loss since August.
As second-place Manchester City won, Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League has been cut to two points, while Villa sit three points behind the Gunners in third. It does feel as though the title race has been blown wide open, though Arsenal have the perfect chance to respond this weekend.
The Gunners entertain rock bottom and winless Wolves, while City make the difficult-looking trip to an in-form Crystal Palace and Villa travel to a rejuvenated West Ham.
Despite this, Scholes has backed City to win the title. The Manchester United legend believes that Pep Guardiola's side will come out on top unless Arsenal turn up in "big games".
"Man City have a great chance now, don't they?" Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. "I still don't think they're quite right but they always get better in the second half of the season and the thing with Arsenal is they can't win a big game.
"Until they start winning big games they've got no chance of winning the league.
"They lost to Liverpool, they couldn't beat Man City at home when they were struggling. Aston Villa are a good team, don't get me wrong, but Arsenal just can't win big games. They couldn't beat Chelsea after they went down to ten men.
"If you're going to win the league you've got to start winning some big games, you've got to beat your rivals, and they can't do it. Historically Man City always get better after January. They were in the Club World Cup so they didn't really have a pre-season."
Nicky Butt is backing City for the same reason. "I did say I fancied Man City for the title about a month ago. They're suddenly clicking," Butt said. "The reason I think Man City will win the league is Pep [Guardiola]. He's got the experience. I can see him winning the league this year and then leaving."
Arsenal are next in action when they travel to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Gunners have a 100 per cent record in Europe's elite club competition this season, winning all five league matches so far.
They have an action-packed festive period coming up, with Wolves, Everton, Palace, Brighton and Villa to come within the space of two weeks.
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