Arsène Wenger has delivered a confident assessment of the Premier League title race, insisting that Arsenal FC still have what it takes to win the championship despite a damaging defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, according to Metro.
The former Arsenal manager, who led the club to three Premier League titles during his 22-year spell in charge, remains optimistic about Mikel Arteta’s side and believes the title race is far from over with several matches still to be played.
Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City represented a setback in their campaign and saw them lose ground in a tightly contested title battle. The result followed a difficult run of domestic form, raising questions over whether the Gunners could maintain their early-season momentum in the final stretch.
However, Wenger has urged supporters and players alike to remain calm, pointing to the quality of Arsenal’s attacking performances and the unpredictable nature of Manchester City’s remaining fixtures.
“I believe that Arsenal will win the league,” Wenger said. “I deeply believe it. It looks like commonsense to me. Manchester City will not make a perfect run-in.”
Wenger highlighted Arsenal’s attacking talent as a key reason for his confidence, referencing the impact of players such as Eberechi Eze, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke in their recent performance levels. Despite the defeat, he felt the team showed enough quality going forward to remain strong contenders.
The former manager also stressed that the title race is unlikely to be decided by a flawless finish from Manchester City, suggesting that Pep Guardiola’s side are still capable of dropping points before the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side remain in contention at the top end of the table, with only a handful of fixtures left in the campaign. Arsenal’s position could still improve depending on City’s results, particularly with the champions still facing challenging away matches in the run-in.
Wenger also encouraged Arsenal to maintain an attacking approach rather than becoming overly cautious in response to setbacks. He believes that positive intent will be crucial if they are to capitalise on any mistakes made by their rivals.
Beyond the title race, Wenger reflected on his continued emotional connection to Arsenal, stating that he still closely follows the club’s progress and enjoys watching their development under Arteta. He also acknowledged the intensity of modern football, comparing it to the challenges he faced during his managerial career.
Arsenal now face a crucial period in the season, with every remaining fixture carrying significant weight in the title race. While Manchester City remain in control of their destiny, Wenger’s comments reflect a belief that the gap is far from decisive.