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Topics: Arsenal, Liverpool, Premier League, Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp, Paul Merson, Manchester City
Ryan Smart
Topics: Arsenal, Liverpool, Premier League, Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp, Paul Merson, Manchester City
Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes that the Gunners will win the Premier League title if they manage to beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta's side are currently eight points clear of Manchester City at the top of the division, although that gap could drop to five points by the time the fixture against Liverpool kicks off.
It could be a defining match for the Gunners, who haven't won a league game at Anfield for 11 years.
Barring long-term absentees Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu, Arteta could have a full squad to choose from, with centre-back William Saliba and striker Eddie Nketiah both doubts.
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However, Bukayo Saka is back in contention to start after he was on the bench for last weekend's 4-1 win over Leeds due to illness.
Merson is under no illusions as to how important the Liverpool clash is for Arsenal, and sent a warning to Arteta about the Reds in the process.
Speaking in his weekly predictions column for Sportskeeda, Merson gave his assessment of what a win at Anfield would mean for Arsenal - and what they need to be wary of.
He explained: "This game is a worry for Arsenal. Liverpool did not play Salah, Van Dijk, Robertson or Alexander-Arnold against Chelsea.
"Jurgen Klopp could be saving those players for Arsenal. I'd be shocked if they don't play this game. It seems like the Arsenal game at home is more important to Jurgen Klopp, and that would worry me as an Arsenal fan."
Merson continued with his prediction: "If Arsenal win this game, I think they win the Premier League.
"They still have a game against an excellent Newcastle side, but Arsenal won't have to beat them if they can get the better of Liverpool. If they win this game, they would have to have a major meltdown to lose the title race.
"Jurgen Klopp wants his Liverpool side to play a certain way, and his team doesn't have the legs to pull it off at the moment. It wasn't too long ago that Liverpool were smashing Manchester United at home.
"This is going to be a difficult game for Arsenal, and a victory here would seal the Premier League title for me."