Paul Scholes Rips Into Arsenal, Says They’d Be the Worst Ever Premier League Champions

Paul Scholes Arsenal criticism intensifies as Man United legend claims only Bukayo Saka deserves Team of the Season place.

Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has launched a brutal criticism on Arsenal title credentials, claiming Mikel Arteta’s side would be the worst team to ever win the Premier League if they go on to lift the trophy this season.

Despite Arsenal sitting top of the table in late January, Scholes insists the Gunners lack elite attacking quality and believes only Bukayo Saka would even be considered for a Team of the Season spot.

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Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes delivered his verdict without hesitation.

“If Arsenal win the league, this could be the worst team to win the league,” he said. “If you’re picking a Team of the Season and looking at the front four, nobody from Arsenal gets in.”

Scholes added that even Saka’s inclusion would be debatable, arguing the winger has not delivered consistently enough in front of goal.

“Possibly the only one is Saka, and I don’t think he’s been brilliant. He’s not scored many goals or assists this year.”

Arsenal’s form fuels criticism

Arsenal currently lead the Premier League with 50 points from 23 matches, holding a four-point advantage over Manchester City. However, their recent dip in form has strengthened criticism, with just two points taken from their last three league games, including a damaging 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United.

While Arsenal have scored 42 league goals — the second-highest tally in the division — concerns persist over how those goals arrive.

A key part of the criticism centres on Arsenal’s heavy dependence on dead-ball situations. The Gunners have scored 26 goals from set pieces, the highest total in the league by a significant margin.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s attackers have struggled from open play:

• Bukayo Saka has gone 13 matches without a goal in all competitions
• Viktor Gyokeres has failed to score a non-penalty league goal in 11 games
• Gabriel Martinelli is goalless in 13 Premier League appearances
• Leandro Trossard has scored once in his last 11 matches

Those numbers have fuelled the narrative that Arsenal lack a genuine match-winning forward.

Jamie Carragher recently supported Scholes’ argument on Sky Sports, stating it is “not normal” for league leaders to have no forward worthy of Team of the Season consideration. Carragher also pointed to Arsenal’s absence of a true superstar striker.

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has also raised red flags, questioning the squad’s mental strength following the Manchester United defeat and calling for greater risk-taking and leadership in big moments.

Mikel Arteta has publicly dismissed the criticism, reportedly holding a rallying meeting with his squad after the United loss. The Arsenal manager remains adamant his side can finish the job, insisting the title race is still in their control.

With a Champions League fixture against Kairat followed by a crucial league clash with Leeds United, Arsenal now face a defining stretch of the season.

Title still in Arsenal’s hands — but doubts remain

Scholes’ comments reflect a growing skepticism around Arsenal’s ability to turn dominance into silverware, especially after finishing second in each of the last three seasons.

Whether Arteta’s side can overcome their attacking inconsistencies and silence critics like Scholes will define their campaign. If Arsenal do lift the Premier League trophy in May, it will be achieved under intense scrutiny — and against the harsh judgment of one of English football’s most outspoken voices.

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