According to a report by Daily Post on Wednesday October 21, 2026, Arsenal legend Paul Merson has backed Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season ahead of Manchester City, insisting that Mikel Arteta's side have an important advantage over their rivals.

Merson believes the Gunners' defensive strength and ability to win matches with minimal goals could prove decisive in the race for the English top-flight crown.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Arsenal midfielder explained why he expects his old club to finish ahead of Manchester City despite their current position in the league table.

"I still see Arsenal winning the league because I just think they need one goal," Merson said. "I feel Manchester City need two goals every football game to win. Arsenal just need one and they will win."

Merson's comments highlight his belief that Arsenal's defensive organisation gives them an advantage over City. According to the pundit, the Gunners do not always need to produce a high-scoring performance to secure three points, provided they can maintain their defensive discipline.

Under manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have developed a reputation for being well-organised defensively, with their ability to protect leads becoming an important part of their approach.

The north London club will hope that strength continues to serve them well as the season progresses, particularly when they face difficult opponents or encounter demanding periods in the fixture schedule.

However, Manchester City remain serious contenders for the title, and their attacking quality means they cannot be dismissed from the race.

City's current position at the top of the table puts pressure on Arsenal to keep collecting points if they want to overtake Pep Guardiola's side.

According to the report, Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League standings, three points behind the leaders after seven matches.

Although the campaign remains at an early stage, the gap means Arsenal will need consistent performances to prevent City from extending their advantage.

The Gunners won the Premier League title last season ahead of Manchester City, according to the report, and will be determined to maintain their position among the leading contenders this term.

Merson's prediction suggests he believes Arsenal's ability to grind out narrow victories could ultimately make the difference in a closely contested title race.

Nevertheless, both teams will need to demonstrate consistency throughout the campaign, as dropped points against lower-ranked opponents could prove costly.