Paul Merson and Jamie Redknapp have backed Arsenal to hold off Manchester City and win the Premier League title after the Gunners went six points clear with victory over Fulham.
Mikel Arteta’s side were convincing 3-0 winners at the Emirates to pile the pressure on City, who have two games in hand starting with Monday’s visit to Everton.
City have the busier schedule in the title run-in with five matches remaining. They play twice before their rivals take to the field in the Premier League again and have a midweek trip to Bournemouth to contend with after reaching the FA Cup final.
And ex-Arsenal star Merson believes that will play into his former side’s hands. ‘If Arsenal win their next three Premier League matches, City will have to pull up trees,’ he said on Sky Sports.
‘They are always playing catch-up from now until the end of the season – unless they win big against Everton and Brentford, where they can swing it around where Arsenal are playing catch up and the goal difference becomes a lot.
‘Otherwise they are always going to be chasing their tail and it takes its toll.’
Bukayo Saka was Arsenal’s star performer as they went six clear by beating Fulham 3-0
Paul Merson and Jamie Redknapp gave their views on the title-run in after Arsenal’s victory
Redknapp believes Arsenal’s trip to West Ham next Sunday is a potential banana skin but says they have the chance to take a huge step towards winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years when they face relegated Burnley on May 18.
‘There’s a game there that really shouts at me – and it’s Burnley at home for Arsenal,’ he said.
‘Working on the basis that both sides are perfect, if Arsenal can’t beat them three or four-nil and get their goal difference up, I’ll be amazed. They’ve had enough.
‘I’ve watched them and it’s a big opportunity. If it does go to goal difference, I look at the games Arsenal have got as a big advantage.
‘If Arsenal win all their games, I think they win the title – even if City do too – because of that goal difference that I think they can rack up against Burnley.’
Merson added: ‘If I had to pick a team at the moment, I would go Arsenal because of the fixtures they’ve got and City have to play Everton and Bournemouth [away]. They’re really difficult matches.’
A superb display from Bukayo Saka – who was taken off at half-time with Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, second leg at home to Atletico Madrid in mind – propelled Arsenal to a dominant victory over Fulham at the Emirates.
Saka scored one and set up another, with Viktor Gyokeres netting a brace to give the Gunners a 3-0 lead at half-time.
‘We dominated and showed the hunger,’ said Arteta. ‘We have the opportunity to win two major competitions. We’re games away from achieving that. Today, they showed the kind of team we are.
‘It certainly was one of the best (opening 45 minutes this season from Arsenal), and the words that you used (free-flowing football), I certainly agree with them.
‘That’s what we want now — use that momentum, energy, belief towards Tuesday. We’re going to certainly need that. When I look at the atmosphere in the dressing room, I think it’s tracking in the right direction.’
