Former Manchester City goalkeeper David James has tipped Arsenal as the favourites to win the Premier League title this season, citing Mikel Arteta's side for their commanding consistency — while stopping short of ruling out Manchester City as credible challengers.

James Makes His Case for Arsenal

James pointed to Arsenal's near-flawless start to the campaign as the primary reason for his prediction. The side have suffered just a single defeat so far, a record that James argued reflects the structural solidity Arteta has built into the club.

'Arsenal are the favourites to lift the Premier League title this year after their success last season. They are displaying a serious and beautiful brand of football, and they have lost just one game so far. They even defeated Liverpool at Anfield and didn't even give them the chance to score, which says a lot about how Mikel Arteta has built this Arsenal side,' James said in an interview with Jio Star.

He further noted that Arsenal's discipline — focusing on executing the basics rather than overreaching — has been central to their momentum in the early weeks of the season.

City's Recent Dip Raises Doubts — But James Urges Caution

Despite Arsenal's strong form, James was measured in his assessment of Pep Guardiola's squad. Manchester City had been on a seven-match unbeaten streak before dropping back-to-back games — a dip James described as uncharacteristic.

'Manchester City have surprised me. They were on a seven-match unbeaten streak, and then suddenly, they lost two games on the trot. That kind of dip is unlike them. But I feel it's too early to rule them out as the Premier League challengers to Arsenal. Still, one of these two clubs will be lifting the trophy,' he said.

This comes amid a broader pattern that has defined the Premier League in recent years — a two or three-club arms race where any stumble can prove costly by season's end.

Personal Allegiance: James Backs Haaland-Powered City

James, who represented Manchester City during his playing career, acknowledged that his heart remains with the club. He expressed hope that striker Erling Haaland could be the decisive factor in City's title challenge.

'And because I have played for the blue side of Manchester, I'm rooting for Manchester City, and I really hope that they can, with Erling Haaland, get the deal done this year and get back to the trophy-winning ways,' he added.

How the Title Race Has Changed

Reflecting on the broader evolution of the Premier League, James described how the competitive landscape has transformed dramatically. He noted that before the 2000s, teams could afford to lose eight or nine matches and still win the league comfortably — a luxury that no longer exists.

'In recent years, the trophy-winning points margin has changed massively. Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal have been pushing each other to the limits, and these clubs have won the Premier League title with 90+ point seasons,' he said.

'The margin for error is almost zero now. One terrible week can cost you the title, and that is why the best teams treat every game like a final. It is no longer about how many games you win, but how few you lose,' he added.

With the season still in its early stages, the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City — and potentially Liverpool — looks set to go deep into the spring.