Arsenal legend Paul Merson has identified the game he believes will decide the Premier League title race as Arsenal and Manchester City battle it out. The Gunners, chasing a first league title since 2004, regained their place at the top of the table with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Arsenal had lost back-to-back league games before returning to winning ways against struggling Newcastle courtesy of Eberechi Eze's early goal. Mikel Arteta's side are once again three points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
Merson's Bold Prediction
Arsenal's final four Premier League fixtures are against three London rivals in Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace, and already-relegated Burnley. Marco Silva's Fulham visit the Emirates Stadium at the weekend and Merson believes Arsenal will go on to clinch the title if they win that game.
An Arsenal victory on Saturday would send the Gunners six points clear ahead of Manchester City's next league game against Everton on Monday week. 'If Arsenal win next week against Fulham at home, Arsenal will win the league,' Merson confidently said on Sky Sports after the Gunners beat Newcastle. 'That's what I think. I've said all season that they'll win it. It is getting tight, but I think if they can go six points clear… Everton away is a difficult game for Man City when six points behind.'
Redknapp's View
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp added: 'I think it's 50/50. I genuinely believe that. Anything could happen. We might get down to a situation with goal difference. We see the pressure. I watched Man City against Burnley on Tuesday night and there was a little bit of pressure in their performance. Anything can still happen.'
Arsenal had lost four of their last six games before the much-needed win over Newcastle, including a painful defeat to title rivals Manchester City.
Arteta's Reaction
'It was much better,' Arteta said after watching his team edge out Newcastle. 'We know what is at stake. The margins are really small. We started the game really well, scored a beautiful goal. I loved the personality of the players. We were so disciplined without the ball, we only conceded one chance. We can miss chances but it is how the team reacts immediately and the effort that we put in.'
Asked about the atmosphere in the Arsenal camp in the days following their defeat to Manchester City, Arteta added: 'We had a huge reset. I sensed a change in energy in the dressing room. We enjoyed what we had to do and now we play the Champions League against Atletico Madrid in the semi-final which is incredible.'
Rice's Determination
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice added: 'I think we said after last week that we have to win five games if you want to win the Premier League. That's one down and now four to go. It was about winning no matter how we win. It is exciting times. There's a lot to play for.'
