Photo credit: GETTY IMAGES
Paul Merson expresses concern over Arsenal’s top-four position after the team’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United, marking their third consecutive league game without a win.
Former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has issued a scathing assessment of Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations following their 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday. The Gunners’ poor performance at Old Trafford has left them trailing league leaders Liverpool by an incredible 15 points with only nine games remaining, prompting Merson to declare their Premier League dreams effectively over. In a candid post-match analysis, the club icon did not mince words, urging Arsenal to shift their focus away from catching Liverpool and toward fending off the teams chasing them in the race for a top-four spot.
Arsenal entered the match against a struggling Manchester United side hoping to close the gap at the top of the table. However, despite taking a point thanks to a 74th-minute equalizer from Declan Rice, the Gunners were unable to capitalize on their opportunities against a Red Devils team that has been inconsistent under new manager Ruben Amorim. Bruno Fernandes’ brilliant first-half free-kick had given United the lead, and while Rice’s fine strike salvaged a draw, the result did little to boost Arsenal’s fading title hopes.
When asked directly if Arsenal’s title race was finished, Merson’s response was unequivocal: “Yes. Fifth are nearer to Arsenal than Arsenal are to first.” The stark reality of his statement reflects the current Premier League standings, where Arsenal sit precariously closer to Manchester City in fifth than they do to runaway leaders Liverpool. For Merson, this gap is the death knell for Arsenal’s Premier League ambitions, necessitating a rethinking of priorities as the season nears its end.
“it’s over,” Merson reiterated. “At this stage, they need to focus on securing a top-four finish. Liverpool would need to lose half of their remaining matches, but they’ve lost just one all year. It’s simply not going to happen.” The former Arsenal midfielder’s pessimism is rooted in the Gunners’ recent form, having dropped points in three consecutive matches, a run that has all but extinguished their hopes of catching a relentless Liverpool side.
While much of the focus has been on Liverpool’s dominance, Merson pointed to another looming danger for Arsenal: Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side, currently in fifth place, have rediscovered their form after a shaky start to the season and are now just a few points behind Arsenal. Merson warned that the Gunners should be more concerned about the teams chasing them than the distant leaders they’re unlikely to catch.
“Man City have some nice fixtures coming up,” Merson noted. “They’re in fifth at the moment and could catch Arsenal.” City’s proven ability to “reel off wins,” as Merson put it, makes them a formidable threat, especially with Arsenal’s attacking woes showing no signs of abating. The Gunners’ reliance on midfielders like Rice to provide goals, rather than a consistent centre-forward, has left them vulnerable—a weakness Merson believes could prove costly in the race for Champions League qualification.
Merson didn’t shy away from pinpointing individual shortcomings, singling out Mikel Merino as a particular cause for concern. The Spaniard, who has been deployed in a makeshift striker role amid injuries to Arsenal’s attacking options, has failed to impress. “He looks lost up front,” Merson said. “He doesn’t give you a presence, doesn’t give you anything up front. It’s so important—a centre-forward. No team ever wins anything without a good centre-forward.”
Arteta has been plagued by injuries to key forwards this season, leaving him with limited options. However, Merson’s critique suggests that Merino, a natural midfielder, isn’t the solution Arsenal need to turn their season around. “They’re suffering at the moment,” Merson added, emphasizing that the absence of a reliable goalscorer could haunt the Gunners not just in the title race but in their bid to secure a top-four spot.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings