Football

David James Backs Manchester City to Overcome Arsenal in Premier League Title Race

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 5, 2026, 02:10 IST

Former England goalkeeper David James has identified Arsenal as the current Premier League favourites but maintains that Manchester City, bolstered by Erling Haaland, will ultimately secure the title this season.

David James Backs Manchester City to Overcome Arsenal in Premier League Title Race

Former England goalkeeper David James has weighed in on the unfolding Premier League title race, identifying Arsenal as the current favourites while simultaneously backing his former club, Manchester City, to ultimately reclaim the trophy. Despite acknowledging the impressive form shown by Mikel Arteta’s squad, James remains confident that the reigning contenders from Manchester possess the necessary quality to overcome their recent challenges.

The former shot-stopper, who spent time at Manchester City during his playing career, highlighted the tactical discipline and consistency Arsenal have demonstrated throughout the early stages of the campaign. While he noted that the North London club has performed at a high level, he also addressed the recent dip in form experienced by Pep Guardiola’s side, which saw them suffer two consecutive defeats following a seven-match unbeaten run.

Assessing the Title Contenders

Speaking on JioHotstar, James expressed his admiration for the brand of football currently being played at the Emirates Stadium. He pointed to their ability to execute the fundamentals effectively and their significant victory over Liverpool at Anfield as evidence of their growth under Arteta. Despite this, James maintains that it is premature to dismiss Manchester City’s chances of success, suggesting that the competitive nature of the league leaves little margin for error.

James underscored that the evolution of the Premier League has made consistency paramount, referencing the high standards required to finish at the top of the table. He remains optimistic that Manchester City, led by the goal-scoring prowess of Erling Haaland, will find their rhythm and return to their trophy-winning ways. For James, the title race is effectively a two-horse contest between Arsenal and Manchester City, with his personal allegiance firmly behind the blue side of Manchester.