Graeme Souness Reveals Key Arsenal Concern in Title Race Against Man City

Graeme Souness thinks Manchester City’s winning mentality poses a serious threat to Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Graeme Souness has identified what he believes is a major concern for Arsenal in the title race as the Premier League season enters its decisive stages. Despite Mikel Arteta’s side sitting top of the table after 16 matches, the former Liverpool midfielder insists Manchester City’s deep-rooted title experience gives them a psychological edge that could swing the race.

Arsenal remain in pursuit of a first league crown since 2004 after finishing second in each of the last three seasons. While the progress under Arteta has been clear, Souness argues that belief forged through repeated success still separates the Gunners from Pep Guardiola’s serial winners.

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Speaking to Sky Bet, Souness pointed directly to City’s recent dominance as the defining difference.

“Manchester City are just coming good at the right time, which is scary for the rest of them,” he said.

City have lifted the Premier League trophy in four of the last five seasons, and Souness believes that history creates an unshakeable mindset inside Guardiola’s dressing room.

“When you’ve won the title a few times, you have unbelievable belief in yourself and the players you’re sitting with,” he explained. “Arsenal have not got that. City have got that.”

Arsenal Results Under the Microscope

Arteta’s side have continued to collect points, but recent performances have drawn scrutiny. Arsenal suffered a setback away at Aston Villa and required a dramatic late winner to edge past bottom-placed Wolves at the Emirates.

By contrast, Manchester City sit just two points behind in second place after a four-game winning run, capped by a commanding 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace. That momentum, according to Souness, reinforces City’s internal confidence during the business end of the season.

“A Little Worm” of Doubt?

Souness suggested that past near-misses could linger in Arsenal’s minds when pressure peaks.

“There’s a little worm in your head,” he said, referring to teams that have fallen short before. “City think: ‘We’ll win this title. Someone will bottle it.’

He extended the same argument to Aston Villa, who sit third, insisting that belief born from winning titles cannot be replicated without actually lifting the trophy.

This Arsenal title race concern arrives at a pivotal moment. The Gunners have matured tactically, added physicality, and shown resilience at the top of the table. However, the next step—closing out a title race against elite opposition—remains the final hurdle.

Arteta has repeatedly stressed focus over fear, and Arsenal’s young core now faces a defining test. Whether they can convert momentum into dominance will determine if this season ends differently from the last three.

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