Paul Merson says the Premier League title race could be ‘done and dusted’ if Arsenal win their next two games against Burnley and Sunderland.
The former Gunners forward says he expects Mikel Arteta’s side to win the league title ‘quite comfortably’ if results go their way in the next two gameweeks, with rivals Liverpool awaiting tests against Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Merson says if Liverpool and City take points off each other next week, it would be Arsenal’s title to lose, considering the Gunners have a much more favourable schedule in their next run of games.
Arsenal are sitting first in the table after nine games, four points clear of Bournemouth in second and seven above Liverpool, who are seventh after losing four in a row.
Paul Merson: Arsenal Could Wrap Up Title in November
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Merson, writing for Sportskeeda, said he expects Arsenal to win both of their next Premier League games and backs Aston Villa to take points off Liverpool on their visit to Anfield on Saturday:
“The way Arsenal are playing, if Burnley can even get a shot on goal, it's a job well done! That's how good Arsenal are. I read this crazy stat the other day - if Arsenal would have conceded a goal from every shot they faced this season, they would still have 13 or 14 points at this stage. That stat is just out of this world.“I said on 19th September that if Arsenal get four points out of their games against Manchester City and Newcastle United, they win the league.
“Arsenal did it and I stand by what I said. In fact, the title race could be done and dusted in the next two weeks!
“Arsenal face Burnley and Sunderland before the international break, while Liverpool have Aston Villa and Manchester City.
“I expect Arsenal to win both them games and I'm not backing Liverpool to win this weekend. If City and Liverpool then take points off each other in gameweek 11, I think Arsenal will win the league quite comfortably.”
Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend, which Arteta described as the most valuable of the season, with Eberechi Eze’s powerful strike against his former club proving to be the winner.
Taking a maximum 12 points from their last four Premier League games, Arsenal have the best defensive record in the division after nine games, conceding only three goals.
The Gunners have also kept six clean sheets in a row in all competitions, last conceding in their 2-1 win over Newcastle on 28 September.
Arteta’s side enjoyed a 2-0 win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup last 16 midweek and now face Crystal Palace in the next round.