They can't win big games — Scholes rules team out of EPL title race

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has questioned Arsenal's title credentials.

The Gunners have a 2-point lead at the top, but Scholes has little faith in their ability to go the distance.

Arsenal suffered a recent setback with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend. After Leandro Trossard had cancelled out Matty Cash’s first-half opener, Villa secured all three points at Villa Park thanks to Emiliano Buendia’s late strike.

Although Manchester City beat Sunderland 3-0 a few hours later, many pundits still view Mikel Arteta’s side as title favourites. However, Scholes insisted that Arsenal must dramatically improve their record in crucial fixtures.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes argued that the Gunners are unlikely to lift the trophy this season because they are "failing to perform in some of the big games they are expected to win.

“Man City have a great chance now, don’t they?” Scholes said.

“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.”

Scholes highlighted several important games the Gunners have failed to win, including defeats to Liverpool and Aston Villa, their inability to beat Manchester City at home when City were struggling, and their failure to defeat ten-man Chelsea earlier in the season.

“Until they [Arsenal] start winning big games, they’ve got no chance of winning the league."

"Arsenal just can’t win big games, and historically, Man City always get better after January, which puts them in a great position."