Man Utd legend rubbishes Paul Scholes’ explosive claim about Arsenal

Steve Bruce has hit back after Paul Scholes suggested Arsenal could become the ‘worst team’ in history to win the title, insisting Mikel Arteta’s squad are ‘so strong in all departments’ and deserve respect.

Arsenal have been top of the table for 17 straight weeks in the Premier League, starting the campaign in dominant fashion after three consecutive runners-up finishes under Arteta.

However, the Gunners have seen their advantage at the summit cut to just four points having faltered in each of their last three matches against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.

Sunday’s heavyweight contest got off to a positive start for the league leaders as United defender Lisandro Martinez directed the ball into his own net to break the deadlock at the Emirates.

But Michael Carrick’s Red Devils showed great spirit and resilience to emerge with a 3-2 victory, with a pair of stunning strikes from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha proving decisive in north London.

Both Manchester City and Aston Villa had won earlier in the weekend to keep the pressure firmly on Arteta’s men ahead of their trip to Leeds.

Arsenal’s defensive capabilities have never seriously been called into question given they boast the best record in the English top flight, shipping just 17 goals in their opening 23 games.

But there are growing concerns surrounding Mikel Arteta’s lack of firepower at the other end of the pitch, with the club sitting 17th in the league for goals scored from open play.

With own goals (4) currently sitting third on Arsenal’s top scorer list this season, behind only Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard (both 5), Scholes told The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast: ‘If Arsenal win the league, this could be the worst team to win the league.

‘If you’re thinking of picking a team of the season and picking the front four, nobody from the Arsenal team gets in that.

‘Look at previous champions – Liverpool’s forwards, brilliant. Possibly the only one is [Bukayo] Saka, and I don’t think he’s been brilliant. He’s not scored many goals this year or assists.’

Bruce shared a dressing room with Scholes for two seasons after the latter broke through into Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United’s first-team along with the rest of the ‘Class of ’92’.

But Bruce had no problem brushing aside Scholes’ scathing remarks as he discussed Arsenal’s start to this season with Ally McCoist on talkSPORT this morning.

‘No! I don’t know where Scholesy is getting that one from, I have to say,’ the ex-United centre-back said.

‘We have to question it, too, because Arsenal are so strong in all departments.

‘I can get where he’s coming from in the forward areas because it’s always a little bit of a concern with your number nine or your strikers and I always judge any team, the real quality ones anyway, on what they’ve got at the top end of the pitch.

‘They’re the most important players, that and your goalkeeper, of course.’

Bruce joked that he barely ever heard a peep from Scholes before his former team-mate entered the world of football punditry.

‘It’s typical Scholesy, isn’t it, to come out with something like that. We never heard from him for 30 years and then he comes and makes statements like that!’ he added.

‘He’s making up for lost time now, him and Butty [Nicky Butt]. I can’t go with that one because I think this Arsenal team are really, really good.

‘I know Manchester United beat them with two wondergoals at the weekend, but their overall play, the way they are, they’re tough enough.’

A three-time Premier League winner with United, Bruce suggested the first title win is always going to be the toughest for a club like Arsenal that has gone so long without success.

‘They’ve just got to get over line which is always the hard part. In my time back at Manchester United all those years ago, the first time, the first win of the title, was the hardest by a country mile,’ he explained.

‘Once they get that over the line, with this squad of players they’ve got… they have been very, very good.

‘They have been steadfast behind Mikel Arteta and the job he’s done and they’ve quietly built a really good squad of players.

‘They could quite easily win the Champions League and the Premier League. Quite easily.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.