Paul Merson makes bold title race prediction ahead of Arsenal's blockbuster clash against Liverpool
- Arsenal are set to entertain Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon
- The two teams are battling for the Premier League title alongside Man City
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Paul Merson has claimed that Arsenal's Premier League title hopes will be over if they lose to Liverpool this weekend.
The Gunners entertain the Reds at the Emirates on Sunday, with both sides having enjoyed an impressive start to the season to put themselves in the race for the title alongside Man City.
However, Arsenal endured a major setback last week when they lost 2-0 to Bournemouth, leaving them four points behind Arne Slot's side, who are top of the table.
And, ahead of the blockbuster showdown, former Arsenal star Merson insisted Mikel Arteta's side have to get a result this weekend to have any hopes of winning their first Premier League title since 2004.
'If they lose this they go seven points behind them,' Merson told Sky Sports News.
Paul Merson has made a bold title race prediction ahead of Arsenal's clash against Liverpool
He said Arsenal, who are four points behind the Reds, will be out of the title race if they lose
Arne Slot's side are currently top of the table after a hugely impressive start to the season
'I don't see Man City not beating Southampton, so (if Arsenal lose) that would be seven and six points behind their two biggest rivals for the title.
'That's a lot of points, especially the way these teams are winning football matches. They beat lesser teams with ease and the gulf is massive at the moment.
'I'd be shocked. If Arsenal lost this and went on and won the league I'd be absolutely amazed. I would be flabbergasted.'
The Gunners have narrowly missed out on the title in the past two seasons, finishing two and five points behind City.
And Merson felt that Sunday's game was crucial if Arteta's side are finally able to take that all-important next step, before he highlighted how things are going to be even tougher this season with two rivals for the title.
'They're not just chasing one team down, but chasing two,' he added.
'All of this about how there will still be 29 games to go, Arsenal will be out the title (if they lose).
'I just can't see how Arsenal will catch that up (a seven-point deficit) with the figures Man City have put up over the last five to six years.'
Merson also went onto to discuss the availability issues facing Arsenal for the crunch encounter, with Arteta's side looking particularly short in defence.
William Saliba is suspended, while Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard are all doubts.
The pundit felt a seven-point deficit would be to much to make up for Mikel Arteta's side
Merson also highlighted the impact Arsenal's availability issues could cause them on Sunday
'Very much so (it's an awkward position to be in),' Merson explained. 'I was on Soccer Special in midweek and we put the stats up about Saliba.
'But Saliba's stats are (amazing) because he's playing with Gabriel. When he plays with Gabriel they are an amazing partnership.
'It's like when Cole and Yorke played up front for Man United, they are that strong.
'You take one of them out and they are not the same either way. My only advantage for Arsenal is that they are always going to be in football match and that gives them a chance this weekend.'
