Paul Merson has given his verdict on whether Arsenal could beat Liverpool and Manchester City to the Premier League title after the defeat to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in North London in the Premier League on Sunday.
Leon Bailey broke the deadlock in the 84th minute with a low finish at the far post, and Ollie Watkins doubled the advantage for the Villans in the 87th minute with a lofted finish over David Raya.
Arsenal are now second in the Premier League table with 71 points from 32 matches, level on points with Liverpool, who lost to Crystal Palace on Sunday and are now third.
Defending champions Manchester City are at the top of the table with 73 points from 32 matches.
Former Arsenal and Villa star Paul Merson has written off the Gunners’ chances of winning the league title this season.
The Sky Sports pundit has also criticised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for his team selection against Villa.
Paul Merson comments on Arsenal after defeat to Aston Villa
Merson said on Sky Sports: “For me, it’s gone. 100 per cent.”
The pundit added: “I said before the game I didn’t like Arteta’s decision with the team he picked. Keep on playing the same team that wins every week, don’t have the wool pulled over your eyes for a 25-minute cameo against Bayern Munich. Jesus comes on and does well and he moves Havertz.
“They’ve won nine of 10 with Jorginho and Havertz playing where they were. It was a bench today that if it wasn’t going right, he didn’t have anyone. Usually, you have Trossard and Jesus to come on.
“He did it against Southampton last season when he left Jorginho out last season. The pressure gets to everybody. That’s where you need a Pep Guardiola who keeps cool.”
Arsenal could still win Premier League title
In my opinion, Arsenal could still win the Premier League title this season. Yes, Manchester City are now the favourites for the championship, but there could still be more twists and turns in the title race.
All it would take is for City to lose a game and Arsenal (and Liverpool) to go on a winning run.
As unlikely as it is that City will lose another league game between now and the end of the season, you just never know.
Let us not forget that Pep Guardiola’s side have lost three Premier League matches this season, so it is not as if they do not slip up.
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