Paul Merson is right about what separates Man City from Arsenal and Liverpool in title race

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has correctly pinpointed the difference between Manchester City and their rivals in the Premier League title race.

City have been playing catchup for the majority of the season. Before the weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side had not sat top of the table since matchday 12 in November, following the team’s draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. That allowed for plenty of amplified noise around Arsenal and Liverpol’s title chances while City quietly built up a 17-game unbeaten run.

The understated nature of City’s season so far - which could yet end with a record-breaking fourth consecutive league title and second Treble in a row - has demonstrated their title race experience, juxtaposed with Arsenal’s desire to end their title drought and Liverpool willing a fairytale farewell for Jurgen Klopp. City’s calmer mentality was on full display at the weekend, following a convincing win over Luton Town, as Liverpool and Arsenal failed to keep up the pace.

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At Anfield, Liverpool could not find an equaliser after going behind against Crystal Palace. Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s home defeat to Aston Villa, club icon Paul Merson questioned the team’s title credentials after highlighting that the Gunners had faced a minimum amount of adversity.

"With Arsenal since the turn of the year, they haven't gone behind in a game. The thing with Man City, if they go 1-0 down against Crystal Palace, there's no panic whatsoever," Merson told Sky Sports.

"When Arsenal were here against Brentford, it was panic stations.