Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has made a bold claim about the Gunners’ Premier League title hopes following their loss to Aston Villa.
Arsenal surrendered control of the Premier League title race as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners now need to win all of their remaining matches, and hope that Manchester City drop points between now and the end of the campaign, if they are to stand any chance of being crowned champions.
Mikel Arteta’s men have always been underdogs in this title race, given the pedigree of the reigning champions, but the odds are well and truly stacked against them now.
Paul Merson makes Arsenal title claim
As far as Paul Merson is concerned, the dream is all but dead. Speaking on Sky Sports (14/04/2024, 18:52) in the wake of the Gunners’ loss to Unai Emery’s side, the pundit said Arsenal’s title hopes are now “100%” gone.
Of course, Arteta will refute such a statement. Both Arsenal and Manchester City have six league games left to play, and there is only two points separating the two sides. Liverpool, who are level on points with Arsenal after their loss against Crystal Palace earlier in the day, remain in the conversation too.
There are reasons to believe that the North London club can still achieve their aim. They certainly still need their supporters to stand behind them. Arsenal fans were criticised for leaving the Emirates Stadium early when defeat against Aston Villa became certain. The supporters need to continue to get behind the team whilst there is still everything to play for.
How Arsenal must respond to Aston Villa loss
Arsenal won’t have to wait long for the opportunity to bounce back from this disappointment. On Wednesday evening they will travel to Germany to contest the second-leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich.
As things stand, the scores in that match-up are poised at 2-2 on aggregate. Progression to the semi-finals of Europe’s elite club competition would provide a timely lift for Arteta’s men.
Then, next weekend, they will travel to face Wolves in another Premier League match. If they fail to win that game, then their title chances really will be dead and buried. Arsenal have the quality to win at Molineux, though, now it comes down to whether or not they have the character.
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