Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes Liverpool have already won the Premier League after the Gunners dropped more points against Manchester United on Sunday.

Merson also believes that Arsenal have bigger issues than the title race as the battle for Champions League football heats up in the closing stages of the campaign. 

Arne Slot's side came from behind to beat Southampton to extend their lead to 16 points before Sunday's showdown at Old Trafford between United and the Gunners.

United took the lead through Bruno Fernandes' free-kick, but Declan Rice's 74th-minute equaliser sealed a share of the spoils, though it was a result that did not help Arsenal. 

Indeed, Arsenal now win the Premier League title in just 0.3% of Opta's data-led simulations, with Merson not mincing his words after the draw at Old Trafford. 

"Fifth in the league are closer to Arsenal than they are to first," said Merson.

"I mean, in my opinion, I'd be saying now, we need to concentrate on finishing top-four, they're too far away.

"Liverpool have got to virtually lose half their games, they've lost one all season, it's over, finished."

Merson was also highly critical of Arsenal's attack, with Mikel Arteta refusing to bring in a back-up striker for Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, who are out for the season, in January. 

With Bukayo Saka also sidelined, Mikel Merino led Arsenal's makeshift forward line alongside Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard on Sunday, but the trio were unable to fire again. 

And Merson said that those players would not even start for 10th-placed Fulham, with the 56-year-old also suggesting Arsenal should have gone all out to sign Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. 

"We had this with Arsene Wenger too. Everyone knew he needed a centre-half, but he never got one. It's the same with Mikel Arteta now," Merson said. 

"They had a £60m bid rejected for Ollie Watkins rejected in January. Well, then go with 65. It's just five million. It's just a cup of tea for Arsenal.

"Do you think that the Arsenal front three will get into Fulham's team? And where are Fulham?"

The Gunners have now failed to win three matches against sides starting the day in 15th or lower in the Premier League table this season (W7 D2 L1), after winning all 12 of the games they played last term against opponents between 15th and 20th in the table.

But Arsenal seemingly found their shooting boots in midweek, putting seven past PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League round of 16 first leg. 

Merson, however, downplayed the magnitude of the result, saying that Arsenal will now be looking cautiously over their shoulders, rather than looking up.

"I thought [the 7-1 win against PSV] in midweek was papering over the cracks. You are playing in the top league in the world, you are one of the best teams in that league and you have got no centre forward," Merson added. 

"Mikel Merino scored twice against Leicester, but you are not winning the league with him playing there. He looked lost up front. No team wins anything without a good centre forward.

"Arsenal are suffering at the moment and I think it's a worry now. They have got to score goals now, and it is getting a little tight when you look at the league table.

"Manchester City have got some nice fixtures coming up and they could catch Arsenal."

Amazing away support once again, Gooners

Safe travels back home pic.twitter.com/l0mzrtllec

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 9, 2025