Paul Merson has advised Arsenal to “forget” about its upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth and instead concentrate on the Champions League — but he also has a “worry” heading into next season.
The Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace on Wednesday, leaving Liverpool needing just one more point to clinch the Premier League title. A draw against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday would secure the title for Arne Slot’s team with four games remaining.
Therefore, by the time Arsenal play their next Premier League match — a home game against Bournemouth on Saturday, May 3 — the title race is likely already to be over. With Mikel Arteta’s squad facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final either side of the Bournemouth clash, Merson has urged the Gunners to put the Premier League on the back burner for now.
“I think they’ll just have to forget about the Bournemouth game,” a disappointed Merson told Sky Sports. “They’ve got a massive opportunity [against PSG]. They’re not going to finish outside of the top five, they have enough games left.
“The next two games against PSG are huge. They’ve got an unbelievable opportunity of winning the Champions League which they’ve never done before. For me, I’d be more disappointed with the result [vs Crystal Palace] on the strength of that if we want to win the Premier League — and that is the aim — this is going to happen every season.
“If you’re a good team you’re going to go deep into competitions, into Europe, FA Cups, League Cups, hopefully. You need squad players and you need to perform week-in, week-out and I think that would be my worry for Mikel Arteta.
(Image: Maja Hitij/Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“If we’re second in the league and two points behind, we can’t have performances like this, and that’s why you have to show so much respect to Manchester City. What they’ve done over the last few years, consistently churning out results, winning league titles, going deep in the Champions League, even winning it.
“So, that’s what would disappoint Arteta more is next season they’re going to have to be a lot more consistent. It’s drifted away but they can say they’ve put all their eggs in the Champions League now.”
Liverpool could have clinched the Premier League title as early as Sunday. The Reds were relying on Ipswich to defeat Arsenal and then secure maximum points at Leicester.
Although Slot’s men held up their end of the bargain, securing a 1-0 victory against relegated Leicester, Arsenal thrashed Ipswich to keep the title race alive, for now.
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The Reds also had a chance to win it on Wednesday but once again needed Arsenal to lose. Unfortunately for Slot and his side, the Gunners managed to secure a draw and the wait continues.
Liverpool, however, will be eager to secure the title this Sunday when they welcome a Tottenham side who might be distracted by their upcoming Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt next week.
Liverpool.com says: Merson is right about this season, that is stating the obvious. But next year, Arteta will have to prove himself again. Arsenal needs a bit more strength in depth, but has a really good chance of winning the Champions League, which, as Liverpool knows, can be a game-changer.
