Former Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has delivered a strong verdict on Arsenal’s title hopes — and it’s one many Gunners fans will not enjoy hearing.

Speaking after Arsenal’s 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa, Scholes insisted there is “no chance” Mikel Arteta’s men can win the Premier League this season. According to him, Arsenal simply “can’t win big games”, a weakness that will cost them when the title race hits its heated months.

Despite the loss at Villa Park, Arsenal still sit two points clear at the top of the table, but the former midfielder dismissed their positioning as temporary if they fail to show character in key matches.

He referenced major fixtures the Gunners should have taken control of — defeats to Aston Villa and Liverpool, failure to beat Manchester City when they were struggling, and even dropping points against a 10-man Chelsea.

“Until Arsenal start winning big games, they’ve got no chance of winning the league,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
He also backed Manchester City to take over the race again, reminding fans that Pep Guardiola’s side traditionally grow stronger after January.

OPINION — Is Scholes Right to Doubt the Gunners?

Scholes may sound harsh, but there’s a shade of truth in his analysis. Champions are not judged by how long they hang around the top — they’re judged by the battles they win when everything is on the line. And Arsenal, a team still searching for its winning identity in high-pressure games, often falls short in those defining moments.

But here’s the twist… this Arsenal team is not the Arsenal of old.
They have developed resilience, improved their squad depth, and continue to dominate games — home and away. Yes, there have been stumbles, but champions are also forged in moments of recovery.

If Arteta’s men can convert their big-game frustration into big-game fury in the second half of the season, the story could flip dramatically. Two points at the top is not a cushion — but it is a statement that they belong in the fight.

So while Scholes has raised the alarm early… Arsenal still have the final say.
And if they rise when it matters most, these doubts will soon become fuel for celebration.