Former Liverpool captain and prominent football pundit Graeme Souness has highlighted a significant mental hurdle for Arsenal in their ongoing battle for the Premier League crown.
The Psychological Gulf in Experience
Souness believes the reigning champions, Manchester City, possess a formidable psychological advantage over Mikel Arteta's league leaders. Speaking to Sky Bet, the Scot pointed to City's proven track record of securing titles as the defining factor. Manchester City have been crowned English champions in four of the last five seasons, including pipping Arsenal at the post in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.
"When you've won the title and you've won a title a few times, you have unbelievable belief in yourself and the players you're sitting in the dressing room with," Souness stated. "Arsenal have not got that. City have got that."
Contrasting Mindsets at the Top
This disparity in experience, according to Souness, creates entirely different thought processes within the two squads. He suggests the City camp is brimming with a champion's confidence, mentally preparing to capitalise on any slip-ups from their rivals.
"They'll be thinking, 'We'll win this. Someone will bottle it. We'll beat Arsenal when we play them... and we'll win the league'," Souness analysed. For Arsenal, the narrative is different. "They'll be thinking, 'We've been here before, haven't we? Let's make sure we don't bottle it this time'. And that's a little worm in their head."
The context supports his theory. Arsenal currently sit top after 16 games but have shown recent vulnerability, losing to Aston Villa before requiring a 94th-minute winner to defeat bottom-placed Wolves. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola's City have won four consecutive league matches, including an impressive 3-0 away victory at Crystal Palace, closing the gap to just two points.
The Challenge for Aston Villa
Souness also discussed the surprise package of the season, third-placed Aston Villa, but questioned whether they have the necessary experience or firepower to sustain a challenge. He noted Unai Emery's recent decision not to start star striker Ollie Watkins, suggesting goalscoring could be an issue.
"You don't have to be playing well if you've got an out-and-out goalscorer who just keeps scoring for you," Souness remarked, emphasising the premium value of a reliable striker. "If that keeps happening, the confidence within the team just grows. Then suddenly you become a formidable outfit."
While praising Villa's quality, Souness ultimately framed the title race as a battle between the proven mentality of Manchester City and the lingering doubts of an Arsenal side desperate to end a trophy drought stretching back to 2004.
