ARSENAL legend Paul Merson has declared the Gunners “would have won the league” with three points last weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s table toppers were beaten 1-0 at Everton in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge.
A win would have seen Arsenal end the weekend eight points clear with a game in hand on Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola’s side were beaten by Tottenham on Sunday.
As it stands the gap is five points, with the Gunners having played a game less than City, and the two sides set to face off next week.
But Merson reckons the title race would already be over if the Gunners had taken all three points against Everton.
Writing for Sky Sports, he said: “Arsenal would have won the league on Saturday with a win at Goodison Park.
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“With what happened with Man City at Tottenham on Sunday, it would have all been wrapped up in my opinion.
“They are the fine margins you are dealing with at this stage of the season.”
However, Merson suggested it is “no time to panic” for the Gunners, who have still lost just two Premier League games this campaign.
Arsenal remain in a strong position at the top of the table to secure a first league title since the 2003-04 Invincibles.
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Merson wrote: “This is no time to panic for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
“It was the perfect game for Everton and the worst possible game for Arsenal. Goodison Park was back to what it was like when I used to go there in my career.
“It was always a hard place to go, and they were always in your faces, never giving you any time on the ball. But if Eddie Nketiah scores his first-half chance, it’s a different game.
“I think Arsenal go on to win the game from there. That’s what we always talk about, though. It is very thin margins at the top level.
Arteta and Co host high-flying Brentford on Saturday before the mouthwatering clash with City on Wednesday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
