Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has made a bold Premier League prediction on the Gunners following their 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Arsenal returned to the top of the league standings with a slender victory over the Magpies. Eberechi Eze’s sublime shot from the edge of the box sealed the points for the Gunners.
It was yet another nervous finish at the Emirates, but the club were on the right side this time.
With the victory, the Gunners have moved to the top of the table with 73 points, three ahead of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand against Crystal Palace yet to be rescheduled.
Mikel Arteta’s side play again against Fulham at the Emirates next Saturday before Man City travel to Merseyside to face Everton on May 4.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson has now said that Arsenal will win the league if they manage to win at home against Fulham next weekend.
The Gunners can go six points clear of the Cityzens, and the former Arsenal man believes the Everton game could be a difficult one for Man City.
He said: “If Arsenal win next week against Fulham at home, Arsenal will win the league. I have said it all season that they will win it. It is getting tight, but if they can go six points clear. Everton away six points behind is difficult game [for Man City].”
The Gunners were far from their best against the Magpies, who had plenty of chances to score. The Tyneside outfit could have opened the scoring in the first five minutes. William Osula and Bruno Guimaraes came close to doing so.
Yoann Wisse had the best opportunity during the second half with a volley inside the box. The DR Congo international had space and time to equalise, but somehow managed to lash his effort over the top, much to the surprise of everyone.
Arsenal needed some good fortune on the back of an unlucky 2-1 loss at Man City last weekend. They twice hit the woodwork, while Kai Havertz could not convert two clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Both Eze and Havertz picked up injuries yesterday. Eze’s substitution was probably on the precautionary side, but Havertz could be sidelined for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Atletico Madrid.
Viktor Gyokeres had a good physical battle upfront against the Magpies, and the Swede looks poised to lead the line against Diego Simeone’s side. He scored a brace during the 4-0 home win over Atletico in the league phase.