Paul Merson has provided a damning verdict on Arsenal’s dwindling title hopes after dropping points for the third time running at struggling Manchester United.
The Gunners had to rely on Declan Rice to fire in a 74th-minute equaliser to salvage a point at Old Trafford, having fallen behind to an exquisite yet controversial free-kick from Bruno Fernandes.
The result means that runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool remain 15 points clear at the top of the table with nine games to go – and only need a maximum of 16 points from their nine remaining games to be crowned champions.
With Arsenal’s dreams of title glory fading by the minute, club legend Merson is not keeping the faith of a miraculous turnaround.
When asked if the title race was over on Sky Sports’ broadcast of the game, he said: ‘Yes. Fifth are nearer to Arsenal than Arsenal are to first. I’d be saying they have to concentrate and make sure they get in the top four!
‘They are so far away. Liverpool would need to lose half their football matches and they have lost one all season.
‘It is not going to happen. It is over. They have no cutting edge.’
While able to tick the ball around nicely enough, Arsenal were once again largely toothless up front, evidently struggling without an out-and-out striker at their disposal.
Mikel Merino, who traditionally operates as a central midfielder, was once again deployed as a number nine but failed to enjoy much success.
Gunners fans had hoped that the Spaniard would be the surprise savior to their attacking injury woes after he bagged a brace off the bench against Leicester in February.
However. it appears that cameo only acted to give Arsenal false hope, with Merson highlighting the midfielder-turned-striker as a key cause for concern for Mikel Arteta.
‘He looks lost up front,’ Merson added. ‘He doesn’t give you a presence, doesn’t give you anything up front.
‘It’s so important – a centre-forward. No team ever wins anything without a good centre-forward.
‘Arsenal are suffering at the moment and I think it’s a worry now to the end of the season, because I look at the games and I think – they’ve got to score goals, and there are no goals in them.’ Merson feels now is the time to call time of death on Arsenal’s flailing title charge and instead focus on what’s behind them.
With Manchester City rediscovering form, Mikel Arteta may be forced to tussle with his former title rival – not for silverware, but for a place in the top four.
‘It’s starting to get a little bit tight there,’ Merson said. ‘And Man City have got some nice fixtures coming up.
‘It wouldn’t be a surprise to me – Man City, I think, are in fifth at the moment – that they could catch Arsenal.’
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