Paul Merson has stated that he said a ‘long time ago’ that Arsenal have ‘every chance’ of finishing in the top four this season, as he told Sky Sports.
The former double-winner was refusing to change his mind about the Gunners and making it clear that they probably have the ‘best fixtures’ coming up compared to their rivals.
Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham and Wolves are their nearest challengers for those Champions League places.
But given that Wolves have lost to Arsenal twice in recent weeks, as well as West Ham on Sunday, you could probably rule their chances away.
Nonetheless, this is what Merson had to say about Arsenal’s top-four chances and it seems as though he is backing his former side.
“I think they have every chance of finishing in the top four,” said Merson. “I said a long time ago. I did. It’s far from over
“They have some nice fixtures. If they don’t get it, it’s in their hands – if you want to get into the top four, you are not playing Chelsea and Manchester City (for their remaining games). The Liverpool game is their game in hand.
“You have to beat Watford. Beat Watford and Leicester, then all of a sudden, Manchester United still have to play Manchester City.
“They probably have the best fixtures. No games easy, you know what it is.”
In truth, for the squad of players Arteta has to pick from, it would be an overachievement if he secures that top four places.
Manchester City and Liverpool obviously have a better set of players than the north London club, whilst Chelsea are the European Cup holders and have one of the strongest squads in the Premier League.
Then there is Manchester United, they may have struggled this season, but with the crop of players they have at their disposal, added with the money they have spent, it’s obvious that they should be doing much better than they are.
Either way, with Arsenal not playing this weekend, they will next be in action next Sunday when they take on relegation-threatened Watford.
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