Paul Merson, a former Arsenal midfielder, has sparked debate by predicting that Arsenal will win the Premier League this season, ending their 22-year wait for the title. Merson also suggested that if Manchester City fails to secure the championship, manager Pep Guardiola might proactively choose to leave the club. This bold prediction comes as Arsenal recently reclaimed the top spot in the league.

In the 17th round of the Premier League, Man City briefly climbed to the top of the table after beating West Ham 3-0 at home, temporarily displacing Arsenal for the first time since September. However, hours later, the "Gunners" secured a 1-0 victory at Everton, reclaiming the top spot and establishing a two-point advantage over Man City.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson, who played for Arsenal from 1985 to 1997, believes this remains an opportune moment for the "Gunners" to secure the championship. "I think they will be crowned champions. There are 22 matches left, and Arsenal possesses a deep, strong squad," the former England midfielder stated. He suggested that if the season had only a few rounds remaining, Man City might be favored, but at this stage, the advantage lies with Arsenal.

Merson believes this season's Man City is no longer the dominant force that once controlled the Premier League. He suggests that the league's increased intensity and competitiveness have made Guardiola's job more demanding. "They are not the Man City of previous years, the team that routinely crushed opponents," he added. "Before, he would finish training, and the team would operate itself. Now, everything is more complex, more pressure, and that wears down a coach."

The 57-year-old former midfielder believes that failure in the title race could prompt Guardiola to leave the Etihad. "If they don't win the title this season, he will understand that Arsenal could dominate for the next few years. At that point, Guardiola might choose to leave while still at his peak," Merson said, emphasizing the harsh reality of coaching. "Only two things are certain: paying taxes and being fired. Therefore, clubs need to give coaches time."

Coach Mikel Arteta (right) and Pep Guardiola before the Arsenal vs. Man City match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England on 26/4/2023. *Photo: AP*

Coach Mikel Arteta has faced criticism for only securing one major trophy, the FA Cup in 2020, during his six years at Arsenal. Merson defended Arteta, praising the Spanish manager for restoring Arsenal's status as a genuine title contender. "Arteta has breathed new life into the club, eliminated old problems, and built a strong team. Now, if you finish above Arsenal, you will win the Premier League," he asserted.

Beyond Arsenal and Man City, Merson also offered an assessment of Chelsea. He believes the London club lacks the stability and experience to compete for a 38-round league championship. "Chelsea is a better cup team than a league team. They can explode in short periods of a match, but rarely maintain consistency for 90 minutes," he analyzed.

Merson also dismissed Aston Villa—who had won 9 of their last 10 matches and currently sit third in the Premier League—as title contenders. He suggested that a more reasonable goal for Unai Emery's squad is competing for a top 4 spot. "Aston Villa's squad is not very deep. If a few key players get injured, they will face difficulties," Merson said, adding that securing a Champions League spot and a trophy would constitute a successful season for a club that has not won a cup in 30 years.

Hong Duy (via Sky Sports)