Paul Merson has given a blunt three-word assessment of Arsenal’s title chances after it failed to capitalize on an opportunity to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta's side entered the West Ham game knowing that three points were crucial after Liverpool’s midweek draw with Aston Villa. With the Reds set to face Manchester City on Sunday, it was a key opportunity to close the gap at the top.
However, the Gunners' task became even tougher when Jarrod Bowen put the visitors ahead. Arsenal’s challenge worsened when defender Lewis-Skelly was sent off after bringing down Mohamed Kudus. Initially shown a yellow card, VAR intervened and upgraded it to a red, leaving Arsenal with an uphill battle.
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Speaking during Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, former Arsenal midfielder and pundit Merson summed up the situation in just three words: "Liverpool league champions."
During his reaction to Lewis Skelly's challenge on Kudus, Merson said: "He gets the ball just inside the West Ham half and sees there is nothing on, so turns back around. Kudus nicks the ball off him so he brings him down. It is 100 percent a red card. It has to be. Its going to be a red card, he's [the referee] has given a yellow, when you watch it again 100 percent he is going for a shot on goal.
"[David] Raya's 40 yards off his line he's got to get back and he'd be one on one. It's stopping a goal scoring opportunity."
Joking about an open-top bus parade for Liverpool, Merson added: "I'd book it now. You'll get it cheaper! If you wait until May and book it then, you'll be paying double. The company know you need it and will charge you more, if you get it now you'll get it cheap!"
Liverpool now knows that a victory over Man City on Sunday would restore its 11-point lead at the top of the Premier League ahead of the midweek fixtures. The Reds will then host Newcastle at Anfield, while Arsenal faces a tough trip to Nottingham Forest.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's encounter, Arne Slot said: "What I always expect from City since Pep is there: a great football team that can play so well. City has had maybe one or two months in the seven or eight years he's there now that weren't the best, maybe partly because of injuries as well.
"Injuries come back, Pep has signed three or four players, I can see his team coming back already if you look at the result against Newcastle. So what you expect is what everybody expects if you go to the Etihad if you play against City.
"You have to suffer as well and work really hard to keep them away from your goal because they are so, so good in ball possession. But they face a strong team as well that hasn't lost for 22 games."
