Paul Merson Arsenal Top-Four Concern Grows After Draw at Old Trafford

🕓 Last updated on September 17, 2025

Paul Merson Arsenal top-four concern rises after a third straight winless game. He urges the club to abandon title hopes & protect their position

Paul Merson raised concern over Arsenal’s top-four chances and urged the Gunners to shift their focus. As Arsenal’s title hopes fade, Merson emphasized the need to prioritize Champions League qualification. The former midfielder believes Arsenal must stop chasing Liverpool and instead protect their position from clubs like Manchester City. His warning reflects how the Paul Merson critique and Arsenal top-four concern now dominate the conversation around the club’s season strategy.

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Paul Merson criticized Arsenal’s Premier League ambitions following their 1-1 draw against Manchester United. The Sky Sports pundit believes Arsenal’s title hopes have collapsed, with the team now trailing Liverpool by 15 points and only nine games left to play.

Merson urged Arsenal to stop chasing Liverpool and instead concentrate on protecting their top-four position. “Fifth are nearer to Arsenal than Arsenal are to first,” he said, highlighting the club’s precarious standing in the table.

Arsenal entered the match hoping to close the gap at the top. Despite dominating possession, they failed to capitalize on chances. Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead with a first-half free-kick, and Declan Rice equalized in the 74th minute. However, the result marked Arsenal’s third consecutive league game without a win.

Merson emphasized that Liverpool’s consistency makes a comeback unrealistic. “It’s over,” he said. “Liverpool would need to lose half their remaining matches, and they’ve lost just one all season.”

Manchester City Looms as a Bigger Threat

While many focus on Liverpool’s dominance, Merson warned that Manchester City pose a more immediate danger. Pep Guardiola’s side sits just a few points behind Arsenal and has regained form. “Man City have some nice fixtures coming up,” Merson noted. “They could catch Arsenal.”

He pointed to City’s ability to string together wins and Arsenal’s lack of a reliable striker as key vulnerabilities. The Gunners continue to rely on midfielders like Rice for goals, exposing their need for a true centre-forward.

Merson singled out Mikel Merino, who has played as a makeshift striker due to injuries. “He looks lost up front,” Merson said. “No team wins anything without a good centre-forward.”

Arteta’s squad has suffered from injuries to key forwards, but Merson believes Merino isn’t the answer. “They’re suffering at the moment,” he added. “Without a consistent goalscorer, Arsenal risk missing out on the top four.”

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