Paul Merson namechecks West Ham United in title race verdict after Arsenal win v Liverpool
Arsenal are back to “square one” in the Premier League title race if they lose to West Ham, according to Paul Merson.
The verdict comes after the Gunners defeated fellow Premier League challengers Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday (4 February).
Mikel Arteta’s side are now two points behind league leaders Liverpool, with a trip to the London Stadium on Sunday (11 February) up next.
“If Arsenal lost against Liverpool then they would be out of the Premier League title race,” Merson wrote for Sky Sports. “It was their cup final so why not celebrate?
“I didn’t mind it. The pressure was on and Arsenal were playing against the in-form team in the country, who had been destroying teams.
“If they go and lose at West Ham then they are back to square one and it’s a waste of time, but they have given themselves the opportunity in the title race.”
West Ham can burst Arsenal bubble
Arsenal will be on a massive high ahead of their trip to the London Stadium, which could go one of two ways for the Hammers.
Their confidence from beating Jurgen Klopp’s men could work in their favour and ooze into the players in East London, leaving the hosts with a huge task on their hands before a ball is even kicked.
But on a more positive note for the home side, the visitors could be on such a high that complacency slips into their performance, whereby the Hammers could take advantage of their opponents and send them crashing back down to earth.
Regardless, David Moyes must work his players hard on the training ground this week, with West Ham surely keen to bounce back from a defeat of their own on Sunday, when they lost 3-0 to Manchester United.
The Hammers had several chances to take something from Old Trafford, but they have now been overtaken by the Red Devils in the table after the defeat.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are now owed an apology after an “incomprehensible” transfer window development.
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