Merson: Man City are still favourites, but loss at Arsenal gives everyone hope

Paul Merson is back with his column where he dissects all the weekend's big talking points, including Arsenal's 1-0 home win over Man City, Tottenham staying joint top of the table, Man Utd's late show to see off Brentford and a highly competitive race for the Champions League.

The Gunners' last-gasp victory over the Premier League champions on Super Sunday ended a dispiriting run of 12 straight losses at the hands of City, while at the same time breathed life into the title race as Pep Guardiola's side lost back-to-back league games for the first time since December 2018.

Elsewhere, Man Utd also left it late to beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford thanks to two injury-time goals from Scott McTominay, a result that has eased the pressure on manager Erik ten Tag, for now at least.

And Tottenham recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win at Luton to remain level on points with arch-rivals Arsenal at the top of the league, despite seeing midfielder Yves Bissouma sent off on the stroke of half-time - with Merson predicting a fierce battle to finish in the top five, which would almost certainly bring qualification for next season's Champions League.

They were missing Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, one of their best players last season, was a sub and not playing, so I would not have expected them to be peppering Arsenal's goal.

People are getting carried away, though, as Man City are slow starters. Do not get me wrong, it is game on, as they have just lost again, but they are the only team in the league who can win 13-14 games on the trot when it gets past Christmas.

You look at their squad and it is much bigger than everyone else's - any side that finishes above Man City this season will be league champions. There is no way two or