“Could Arsenal be the worst champion in Premier League history?”

Arsenal is on the rise in the Premier League and, despite being the favorites to win the title this season, a wave of skepticism persists among critics. The question many are raising is: if they win the championship, could they be considered the worst champions in history? This doubt was heightened by the blunt statements of former Manchester United player Paul Scholes, who did not hesitate to express his opinion on Arsenal’s current campaign.

“If Arsenal win the league, this could be the worst team to win the championship,” Scholes stated in January. “If you were putting together a team of the season and picking the four up front, no Arsenal player fits in.” Scholes’s analysis does not go unnoticed. He mentions the difficulty in finding an Arsenal player who stands out alongside the stars of previous champions, such as the brilliant attacks of Liverpool. While Bukayo Saka has been mentioned as an exception, Scholes questions his effectiveness, referring to his lack of goals and assists this season.

For Arsenal fans, however, Scholes’ opinion may be irrelevant. For them, the possibility of lifting the trophy outweighs any criticism. But the discussion about the quality of the Premier League champions is not new, and Arsenal is not the only club facing this critique. Let’s explore five other clubs that are also frequently debated when discussing the quality of the league champions.

First, we have Leicester City, who shocked the world by winning the title in 2015-16. While players like N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez stood out, the reality is that the average quality level of the squad was questionable. Claudio Ranieri’s achievement was monumental, but Leicester, who have since suffered relegations, is often remembered more for their story of overcoming the odds than for their style of play.

Next, we find Blackburn Rovers, champions in 1994-95. With Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton as stars, the team also holds the record for the most losses (seven) for a championship-winning team. Despite winning the title, Blackburn could not maintain their status in the top tier and is no longer part of the Premier League.

Another name to be mentioned is the Manchester United of the 1996-97 season. Although they finished with a seven-point lead over the second-placed team, they were the champions with the lowest points total (75) in the history of the Premier League. The team’s defense, which allowed more goals than two teams that finished in the lower half of the table, raises serious questions about the quality of the squad.

Even more controversial is the Manchester City of 2020-21. Despite winning the title with a 12-point margin over the second-placed team, the squad started the season disastrously, finding themselves in the lower half of the table in November. Although they managed an impressive run of 15 victories, the circumstances of their success were questionable.

Last but not least, is Liverpool, which, after an impressive season, saw their title defense in 2024-25 crumble. The reliance on players like Darwin Nunez, who failed to score significant goals, and the apparent dip in form of Andy Robertson, raise doubts about the team’s solidity.

Thus, the debate about Arsenal and their potential title in the Premier League continues. With Scholes and other critics questioning the quality of the team, the question remains: if Arsenal wins the league, will they truly be the worst champions in history? The answer may depend not only on the numbers but also on how the team performs under pressure and the reaction of their supporters.