Paul Merson believes the Premier League title is ‘Arsenal’s to throw away’ after the Gunners beat Tottenham 2-0 in the north London derby on Sunday.
An own goal from Hugo Lloris and a long-range strike from Martin Odegaard handed Mikel Arteta’s side a vital victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Arsenal carved out a eight point lead at the summit of the table.
The Gunners have a crucial clash at the Emirates next Sunday against Manchester United, who are nine points behind them in fourth spot behind Manchester City and Newcastle.
And Merson is confident Arsenal ‘won’t be stopped’ if they beat the Red Devils next weekend.
‘It all comes down to next Sunday. I think next Sunday is the game,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘I think if Manchester United go and beat (Crystal) Palace away, which I do expect them to do the way they’re playing, they go to the Emirates, and I think if Man United win that game, they’re three points behind Arsenal.
‘But if Arsenal win that game, Man United are out of the equation and it’s Man City chasing them down, and they’re eight, maybe even more points behind Arsenal. It’s Arsenal’s to throw away now.
‘There are a lot of points to go, but that first-half performance, that was like watching Man City.
‘If you’d have been living in New Zealand and you ain’t seen football for the last four years, and they were playing in light blue, you’d have thought they were Man City. That’s how good they were. They win next week and I don’t see them being stopped.’
Manchester City face Spurs at the Etihad on Thursday and would close the gap to five points should Pep Guardiola’s side return to winning ways.