Merson makes bold Arsenal title prediction: I think they win the league quite easily

Merson makes bold Arsenal title prediction: I think they win the league quite easily

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson had predicted that the Gunners will cruise to the title this season.

Arsenal sent their biggest message yet in the Premier League title race with a 4-0 thumping of Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The North London side now boast a 5 point lead over Manchester City, who travel to Sunderland on New Year's Day. Manager Mikel Arteta and his side look to be cruising at the top despite the pressure as they lead heading into the new year.

Speaking after the impressive win over title rivals Villa, Merson claimed that his former side have a very strong chance at winning the title for the first time in over two decades.

“They have a five-point lead, and they have three extra goals because goal difference will be important with it being so tight,” he added.

“Looking at Arsenal, with the away fixtures they have already played and this result against Villa, I don’t know who will stop them.

“They play all the big teams apart from Man City at home and playing like that, it’s hard to see them being stopped.

“I think they win the Premier League quite easily.

“It was a statement result and Man City will have been watching. They will be thinking “wow” after that from Arsenal.”

When asked if the victory against Unai Emery's in-form Villa fuels belief in his squad that this could finally be their season, Arteta replied: "It's belief, and it's energy as well because they put in so much.

"We're playing every two and a half days, the schedule is very, very demanding, we have some very tough matches and injuries, but the players are still winning, so winning helps all that.

"All the sacrifices and commitment that you put in gets reflected in results and great performances, and that's so satisfying, but we know there's still so much to play for.

"It's a great way to end the year, that's for sure. We'll have a good night with our families (on New Year's Eve), but then the next day we are in, and we have to go to Bournemouth (on Saturday), and we know what that means."