Arsenal Can Prove Liverpool Star Wrong and End Man City’s Title Hopes for Good

Arsenal can make a defining title statement against Liverpool and finally bury the bottlers label while ending Manchester City’s chase

Arsenal have reached a defining moment in the Premier League season, and Thursday night against Liverpool offers the perfect stage to deliver an emphatic title statement. Sitting clear at the summit in January 2026, Mikel Arteta’s side can silence Dominik Szoboszlai’s doubts, kill off Manchester City’s title hopes, and finally erase the tired “bottlers” narrative.

Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai recently dismissed Arsenal as champions-elect, but a win at the Emirates would flip that argument instantly.

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Szoboszlai did not hold back ahead of the clash, reminding Arsenal that titles are not won in January and insisting Liverpool remain the benchmark.

“You don’t win the Premier League by January,” the Hungarian midfielder said. “We are the champions.”

It was a familiar jab, one Arsenal fans have heard too often over the years. Szoboszlai scored the winner when Liverpool beat Arsenal earlier this season, punishing a dominant but wasteful display at Anfield. That defeat fed the same old doubts.

Since then, Arsenal have responded like genuine contenders. Thirteen wins from their last 17 league matches have transformed momentum, with only Liverpool and Aston Villa managing to stop them in that run. The Gunners look sharper, colder, and far more ruthless.

Thursday is the moment to prove Szoboszlai wrong on the pitch.

Arsenal Can Finally Destroy the “Bottlers” Myth

The “bottlers” label has followed Arsenal for far too long. From late-season stumbles to Manchester City’s relentless surges, the narrative has stuck unfairly but persistently.

Even the Invincibles wobbled late in their title run. More recently, Arsenal have seen commanding positions eroded by City’s late charges. This season feels different.

Arsenal lead the league after 20 matches and could open an eight-point gap with victory over Liverpool. That would mark the biggest lead any Arsenal side has held at this stage of a Premier League season — even more than the Invincibles.

This is not about aesthetics anymore. It is about authority. Beating Liverpool now would be a statement of control, not hope.

Manchester City no longer look inevitable. Draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton have exposed cracks rarely seen under Pep Guardiola. The fear factor is fading.

City remain dangerous, but the trademark 15-game winning run has not materialised. With Arsenal holding a clear lead and facing a favourable run of fixtures, this is the moment to strike.

A win over Liverpool would stretch the gap and apply unbearable pressure on City, who are chasing from behind without momentum. Even Guardiola has admitted that dropped points change everything.

Arsenal do not need to beat City directly right now. They simply need to keep winning — and Thursday offers the biggest opportunity yet to put the title race to bed.

Arsenal’s Chance to Change the Narrative Forever

This match is bigger than three points. It is about identity, belief, and rewriting history.

Beat Liverpool, and Arsenal prove they are no longer a nearly team. They prove Szoboszlai wrong, prove the bottlers tag obsolete and prove Manchester City can be beaten over a season.

Titles may not be won in January — but they can absolutely be secured by what happens there.

Arsenal have the crowd, the form, and the moment. Now they must take it.

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