Why Man City must beat Arsenal to the title after £327m spend to avoid double embarrassment

Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson could both face Arsenal for Man City this season(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Manchester City are closing in on making their third signing, eclipsing Arsenal’s most expensive deal of the summer. The £75million the Gunners paid Newcastle United for Bruno Guimaraes is set to be beaten on a third occasion, with City equalling the British transfer record with a £125million move for Enzo Fernandez.

Elliot Anderson’s £116million move and Ayyoub Bouaddi’s £86million switch, taking the trio’s total cost to £327million, have rebuilt a midfield that has lost Bernardo Silva and, crucially, Rodri, following on from Kevin De Bruyne’s exit in 2025. Enzo Maresca is starting a new era, but that does not mean that the pressure is off.

In fact, after this business, even having sold more than £300million worth of players, has changed the dynamic for me in how I view this Man City side in comparison to Arsenal. The Gunners remain the title favourites, no question there.

READ MORE: Follow our live updates on transfer deadline day as Arsenal explore incomings and outgoings!

Having won the league and being champions, combined with the stability they possess under Mikel Arteta compared to their rivals, and two impressive wins to start the season, the Gunners remain favourites. That said, for me, it would be a bigger failure if Man City did not convert their £400million-plus summer into a Premier League title.

Over the last ten financial years, Man City’s wages have cost them £880million more than the Gunners and the theme of having the league’s highest wage bill is set to continue. In fact, the Gunners have effectively lowered theirs after big earners like Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson and Leandro Trossard off the wage bill.

Unlike when Mikel Arteta arrived at Arsenal, Enzo Maresca arrives at a club he is familiar with, having also already managed at Chelsea. Also, unlike Arteta, his first summer sees a huge investment in the squad.

Where Maresca’s desires have been fulfilled, Mikel Arteta’s it would be fair to argue have not. Similarly to Chelsea, who deserve massive scrutiny for their utterly abysmal competitiveness despite their spending, becoming a player trading hub rather than a competitive juggernaut designed to win silverware as they were under Roman Abramovich, City’s spending means any claims of “transition” should they fall short in the title race should spare only Maresca from the sack, barring a complete collapse perhaps, but it should not be described as anything other than a significant failure, and, for me, the biggest of any side who fail to win the league this season.

Considering what their rivals have done, Mikel Arteta would surely be due considerable credit should he take the Gunners to back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1930s. He would have done it anyway, naturally, but having seen the window take shape from all clubs’ perspectives, it would again be a monumentally impressive accolade.

Tom Canton joined football.london as the Arsenal Fan Brand Writer and Presenter before becoming a permanent Arsenal Reporter in 2025. Tom produces plenty of analytical content in addition to breaking stories and is a regular attendee at matches and press conferences. Can also be found on YouTube @TheGoonerTalkTV

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