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. When Liverpool were facing Sheffield United, it was panic stations. You don't get that feeling with Man City and that's the difference for me. They have so much belief in their ability that they don't need to worry about anything."

The stats prove Merson right in his assessment. City have gone behind in games on 13 occasions and rescued 24 points, averaging 1.84 points per game which is the highest across the Premier League.

Liverpool have accrued more points than City from losing positions (27) but have also gone behind more often (16), bringing their average down to 1.68 points per game. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s impressive defensive record means that the Gunners have only fallen behind on nine occasions but that inexperience shows as Mikel Arteta’s side have only rescued a total of eight points, averaging 0.88 points per game after conceding.

That provides City with a mental edge over Arsenal and Liverpool as the three sides navigate the final run-in. Not only have City moved top for the first time in five months, but the character shown by Pep Guardiola’s side throughout the season suggests that they are less likely to return the favour after being gifted a two-point lead in the title race.