Paul Scholes has softened his earlier stance on Arsenal's Premier League triumph, admitting he was "a bit harsh" on the Gunners after they clinched their first league title in 22 years. The Manchester United legend had previously insisted that none of the title contenders deserved to win the competition, but has now reassessed his position following Arsenal's victory over Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
Speaking on The Good, the Bad and the Football podcast, Scholes originally questioned the quality of football being played across the league. "None of them have convinced me that they should be Premier League champions," he said during the campaign. "I don't think they should give the trophy out this year. No one deserves it." He argued that while the top teams had enjoyed strong positions historically, none had demonstrated the creative, flowing football expected of champions, particularly as the pressure intensified in the final weeks.
A Reluctant Acknowledgment
However, Scholes returned to the podcast this week with a more measured assessment. "It wasn't the most entertaining, but when you look back, there was a lot of pressure from them to get over the line," he explained. "They've done it in a different way and you can see that." The former England midfielder recognized the difficulty of winning the Premier League, especially for a club claiming its first title in more than two decades. "I was a bit harsh and a bit tough," Scholes conceded, "but the question now is can they go on and dominate English football."
Arsenal's success relied heavily on set-piece efficiency and defensive solidity rather than the expansive, attacking football that typically characterizes title-winning campaigns. Despite criticism over their style and perceived lack of creative flair throughout the season, Mikel Arteta's side proved clinical when it mattered most. Scholes now believes the Gunners possess the quality to challenge consistently going forward. "I think they will get better, they have the players to get better," he said, noting that further recruitment may still be necessary as Arsenal aim to establish themselves as England's dominant force in the coming seasons.
The challenge facing Arsenal is whether their methods can evolve into something more aesthetically pleasing while maintaining the ruthless efficiency that delivered silverware this season.
