Paul Merson has expressed that the chances of Arsenal winning the English Premier League title this campaign hinges on the results from their next two matches.
The Gunners will battle Tottenham Hotspur next on Sunday, September 15, 2024, before trading tackles with champions Manchester City on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
A clash in the UEFA Champions League against Atalanta is sandwiched between both fixtures, and Merson has demanded optimal performances from the Gunners in the coming games.
Arsenal Must Get At Least 4 Point From The Games Against Tottenham Hotspur And Manchester City – Paul Merson Says
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Arsenal legend shared that Mikel Arteta’s side must Garner at least four points from the two matches if they are to stand a chance of winning the Premier League title.
The 56-year-old said: “Arsenal’s Premier League season all comes down to the next two games against Tottenham and Man City. They need four points. It’s as simple as that.”
The Englishman added that if the Gunners get points fewer than that, then fans can start to fidget, as they would basically be playing “catch-up” to Manchester City.
He said: “If they get anything less, then you start to worry because you’re playing catch-up against a machine in Man City.”
Arsenal In The 2024/25 Season
Arsenal currently occupy the 3rd spot on the Premier League table, with 7 spots from their first three league matches.
They started the campaign with a 2-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, before silencing Unai Emery’s Villains 2-0 at Villa Park.
Before the September 2024 international break, Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw with Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton, and that put them in the 3rd spot 2 points behind Manchester City and Liverpool, who sit 1 and 2 respectively with 9 points each, but separated due to goals scored.
Arsenal Will Not Wear Their Traditional Red And White Shirt In The Game Against Spurs
Arsenal have been directed to don their away kit when they battle Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
The Premier League and PGMOL have informed the Gunners they cannot wear their traditional red home kit due to the presence of much white on the back of the shirt, and that will clash with that of Spurs.
This implies that Mike Arteta’s troops will wear their new black kit for the North London Derby.
Due to stipulations, Tottenham Hotspur will also have to wear their away kit in the reverse fixture at the Emirates in January 2025.
During the 2023/24 season, Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw with Ange Postecoglou’s side at the Emirates, before beating Spurs 3-2 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in April 2024.
It will be fascinating to see where the pendulum will swing on Sunday, September 15, 2024, given the quality that both sides parade.
Injury Issues Bedeviling Arsenal And Tottenham Hotspur
Going into the coming game, both sides have had their fair share of injury issues, with the Gunners to miss the services of captain Martin Odegaard for the game against their neighbors due to ankle problem.
Additionally, Riccardo Calafiori has also suffered an injury and he is expected to be absent from that fixture.
The duo of Richarlison and Dominic Solanke are also expected to be unavailable for action for Spurs when they trade tackles with Arsenal on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
