Paul Merson believes Arsenal may have ‘one trophy within the bag’ following this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.
The Gunners, chasing a primary league title in 22 years, will move 12 points clear at the highest of the table in the event that they beat Bournemouth on the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side suffered back-to-back defeats for the primary time this season either side of the international break, first losing to title rivals Manchester City within the Carabao Cup final after which crashing out of the FA Cup against Championship side Southampton.
Arsenal produced one other somewhat underwhelming display against Sporting within the Champions League on Tuesday night but ground out a 1-0 win due to Kai Havertz’s injury-time goal.
Merson believes his former club will return to top form by dispatching Bournemouth on the weekend and believes the Premier League title race will then be ‘over’ as he backed Chelsea to frustrate Man City.
Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing City outclassed Arsenal in a Wembley final last month before thrashing reigning Premier League champions Liverpool 4-0 within the FA Cup.
Those results have caused concern amongst Arsenal fans but Merson expects Manchester City’s ominous form to finish at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
‘Arsenal are on a little bit of a wobble, aren’t they? I told you last week that the FA Cup game was a banana skin they usually were knocked out by Southampton,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.
‘Bournemouth are on an honest unbeaten run. But the issue is they simply can’t win games.
‘I feel like persons are getting a bit carried away by hyping them up for being unbeaten. In the event you don’t win enough games, it is senseless in my view.
‘I personally think the Premier League title race will probably be over this weekend. I’m backing Arsenal to win, which implies they go 12 points clear of Manchester City. I don’t consider City will beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
‘I’m predicting a snug win for Mikel Arteta’s team. Arsenal will probably be relieved they not less than have one trophy within the bag after this weekend.’
Chelsea suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats either side of an embarrassing Champions League exit by the hands of PSG before the international break.
Liam Rosenior’s side returned to winning ways on the weekend, beating League One basement boys Port Vale 7-0 within the FA Cup.
‘Chelsea are on a poor run of form in the meanwhile and this can be a tough game, but I don’t expect them to get beat here,’ Merson added.
‘Manchester City are drawing too many games within the league and Chelsea away is just not a simple fixture for them.
‘Persons are talking loads about Arsenal bottling the league, but during the last five league games, they’ve won two points greater than City!
‘So I don’t think Arsenal are doing that bad, especially with City also dropping points.
‘The subsequent two games will define Liam Rosenior’s future at Chelsea and I expect Chelsea to present City strong competition on this game. I’m going for a draw here, which essentially means Arsenal to win the league.’
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