Paul Scholes has questioned whether Arsenal can be ranked among English football's greatest teams, despite their commanding position to clinch a first Premier League title since 2004. The Manchester United legend criticised Mikel Arteta's methodical approach on the latest episode of The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast, arguing that the Gunners lack the attacking flair required to join the pantheon of elite sides.
Scholes, a veteran of 11 Premier League triumphs under Sir Alex Ferguson, found fault with Arsenal's possession-based build-up play and defensive rigidity. "You can win in all different ways, but they're not a team I'd turn on and watch all the time," the 51-year-old said. "We've seen David Raya and the centre-halves just playing and playing. It's been boring." His critique centred on the lack of dynamism in their attacking transitions and creative spark compared to the high-octane Manchester United sides featuring Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Case Against Arsenal's Legacy
Beyond style, Scholes highlighted Arsenal's mixed record against direct rivals as a defining limitation. The Gunners have failed to secure victories over Manchester City and Liverpool—the dominant forces of recent seasons—a shortcoming Scholes believes disqualifies them from greatness. "You don't always have to beat the top teams, but to be a great team, you've got to go and beat these teams," he explained. While consistency has propelled Arsenal clear in the title race following City's draw with Everton, Scholes contends such achievements ring hollow without scalps of genuine contenders.
Arsenal's pursuit extends beyond domestic supremacy. The club has reached the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30, offering a genuine opportunity for a historic double. Yet Scholes appears unmoved by the prospect, suggesting that even winning silverware may not restore Arsenal's credentials in his eyes. His assessment reflects a particular valuation of style and competitive pedigree that modern Arsenal, under Arteta's systematic methods, appears unable to satisfy—regardless of trophies won.
With Arsenal poised just games from their first league title in two decades, Scholes' words underscore the ongoing debate about what truly constitutes greatness in football. Arsenal's unfolding season remains one of massive potential, but whether accolades will shift the narrative around their brand of football remains to be seen.
