The 24-year-old signed for Arsenal from West Ham United in July in a deal widely reported to be worth around £100m and he has started all nine of the Gunners’ Premier League games so far this term.

Rice has scored two goals and made one assist in 13 games in all competitions for the north Londoners so far and his high-level performances continue to underline why Mikel Arteta moved to bring him to The Emirates.

Former England and Liverpool FC forward Heskey insists that he’s not surprised by Rice’s solid start in north London and says that the midfielder’s consistency and tenacity reminds him of former Reds star James Milner.

“It’s exactly what I expected to be honest with you,” Heskey told The Sport Review when asked about Rice’s strong start at Arsenal this season. “He’s a fantastic player [and] he’s an ambassador for football.

“He lets his football do the talking. He doesn’t need to be ranting and raving about anything, he just lets his football do the talking. He’s quite simple in everything that he does, but he’s effective in everything that he does.”

Emile Heskey spoke exclusively to The Sport Review this week (Photo: The Sport Review)

Heskey added: “He probably reminds me a bit of James Milner back in the day, he’s probably [an] eight to nine of of 10 every week – and that’s the consistency and the level that you need to be playing with at Arsenal, because you can’t afford to drop. And they can’t afford to drop points either because City won’t be.”

Arsenal are currently third in the Premier League table and two points adrift of early leaders Tottenham Hotspur as the Gunners look to challenge for the title once again this season.

Arteta’s side missed out on the Premier League by five points last term but Heskey feels that last season’s disappointment will serve as fuel for the Gunners this time around

Asked if he thinks Arsenal will be one of the main challenges for the title this season, Heskey replied: “Yeah, I think they will. They’ve probably got a little bit more experience this time around, but that will still be building.

“I still think they’ll be there or thereabouts. Them and Liverpool are probably the ones that will challenge city. And to be fair you can’t knock what Spurs are doing, Ange [Postecoglou] has done a fantastic job so far.”

• Emile Heskey was speaking to The Sport Review on behalf of luckyblock.com. You can read the full exclusive interview here.

The post Emile Heskey: Arsenal star Declan Rice an ‘ambassador for football’ appeared first on The Sport Review.

Emile chatted to us about his old club Liverpool FC and how Mohamed Salah continues to star for the Merseysiders despite his advancing years.

The ex-Leicester City and Aston Villa striker – who won 62 England caps – also offered his thoughts on how Arsenal’s season could pan out. Read on for the full exclusive interview.

Emile Heskey spoke exclusively to The Sport Review this week (Photo: The Sport Review)

Mohamed Salah scored his 200th and 201st career league goals for Liverpool FC at the weekend. How important do you think he still is to Liverpool FC and what do you most admire about him as a player?

He’s just as important as ever. When you’re looking at focal points and good passages of play, they all tend to go through Mo Salah. I don’t think there’s a better outlet than Mo Salah, especially when you’re under the cosh and all you want is to create something on a quick break. [It] is fascinating at the age that he is – I think it was Arsene Wenger’s thing that you kind of limit their minutes at a certain age – [but] you kind of want him [Salah] to keep playing as many minutes as possible.

He’s done fantastic, and to hit the targets that he has with 200 league goals, you’re talking about a winger doing phenomenal feats. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place with that because I’m a forward and we’re kind of going obsolete because of the wingers. Wingers are getting all the goals and creating a lot of chances. I wouldn’t say the forwards are obsolete but they’re not as much of a focal point now because of the rise of this type of winger.

Mohamed Salah and Jurgen Klopp (Photo: Marco Iacobucci / depositphotos.com)

Alexis Mac Allister has started all of Liverpool’s league games so far. What have you made of his impact?

I think he’s done fantastic. He was someone that was needed, when you look at the midfield. This is where Liverpool FC and Jurgen [Klopp] are fantastic. They look at the ages and the players they have and when they need to replace them with younger and more athletic [players]. You’ve got him [Mac Allister] in there who’s got a fantastic eye for a pass.

There’s nothing worse than midfielders that keep going backwards and sideways because you [can] give teams opportunities and not really challenge them. But when you’ve got a player like that who can actually break lines and who can find players in between, you can break forward [and] it’s phenomenal how quickly and how many goals you can create from it.

Alexis Mac Allister (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

It was a bit of a disappointing season for Liverpool FC last year, how do you see this season shaping up? Will they be in and amongst it for the title?

Yeah, I think so. They’ve just got to be relentless and ruthless [because] you know City are going to be ruthless. Arsenal are there or thereabouts, so they [Liverpool] have got to be relentless. I can see [that] it’s got to be another near-perfect 100 points, ninety-something points because City are relentless. They might lose a game here or there, but they won’t be drawing too many. They’ll be winning a lot of games and they’ll be winning them with a lot of goals as well.

So I think Liverpool definitely have an opportunity but they’ve got to be relentless like they were in the season where they pushed them and lost out by point point. They’ve got to be relentless like that.

Jurgen Klopp (Photo: Vitalii Kliuiev / depositphotos.com)

One of the talking points at Arsenal is Mikel Arteta’s decision to play David Raya ahead of Aaron Ramsdale this season. Raya has looked a little bit shaky in recent games. Do you think Arteta needs to say something publicly about who his number one is and how do you think he should manage the situation?

It’s a tough one to manage to be honest with you, because we have a public perspective and a private one. We don’t know what he’s actually saying in private, but in public you want to know who is the number one. As a fan, you want to know who the number one is. If he’s going to make mistakes, when is the next one’s opportunity? As a fan sitting there, you just want to know.

This is one of the things managers have to manage as well. The manager will be managing the changing rooms and the players, then he’ll be managing up to the CEOs and directors. But then he’s got to manage the fans as well. They have an expectation and want to know too. A manager’s job is very tough because there are so many stakeholders that you need to keep in the loop. Do I think he’s done that well enough? Probably not, because there’s a lot of gray areas when it comes to the goalkeepers [at Arsenal]. But he has his way of doing it.

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

Do you think Ramsdale is likely to make his way back into the team after Raya’s recent games?

As a player, you will always get your opportunity. It will either be in a cup game or when another player is not having the greatest of times. You have to be ready to take that opportunity. I believe he [Ramsdale] is, because I’ve watched him for a few years now and I thought that his distribution especially is fantastic. Having time sat out, not knowing whether you are number one but then being told you’re joint number one – can you still keep focused and stay ready to play when called upon?

Aaron Ramsdale (Photo: Vitalii Kliuiev / depositphotos.com)

One player who’s made a big impact at Arsenal this season is Declan Rice. What have you made of his start?

It’s exactly what I expected to be honest with you. He’s a fantastic player [and] he’s an ambassador for football. He lets his football do the talking. He doesn’t need to be ranting and raving about anything, he just lets his football do the talking. He’s quite simple in everything that he does, but he’s effective in everything that he does.

He probably reminds me a bit of James Milner back in the day, he’s probably [an] eight to nine of of 10 every week – and that’s the consistency and the level that you need to be playing with at Arsenal, because you can’t afford to drop. And they can’t afford to drop points either because City won’t be.

Declan Rice (Photo: Marco Canoniero / depositphotos.com)

What you make of Arsenal so far? Do you think they’ll be in and amongst it this season as well?

Yeah, I think they will. They’ve probably got a little bit more experience this time around, but that will still be building. I still think they’ll be there or thereabouts. Them and Liverpool are probably the ones that will challenge city. And to be fair you can’t knock what Spurs are doing, Ange [Postecoglou] has done a fantastic job so far.

• Emile Heskey was speaking to The Sport Review on behalf of luckyblock.com

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Gabriel Martinelli, who was brought on at half-time for Leandro Trossard, fired home a late winner in the 86th minute when his shot was deflected into the net off Nathan Ake.

It wasn’t the most entertaining of games, with the two sides only managing to conjure three shots on target between them during the 90 minutes, but it was Arsenal who were able to profit when it counted.

The victory moved Arsenal up to second place in the table and level on points with leaders Tottenham, who remain top because they have scored two more goals than the Gunners so far this term.

The win leaves Mikel Arteta’s men two points clear of defending champions Manchester City, who sit in third, and former Manchester United defender Neville praised the Gunners for their display against Pep Guardiola’s side.

“The atmosphere here is special,” Neville said on Sky Sports immediately after the final whistle. “I’ve criticised them for over celebrating – not today. That’s a big moment for them.

“They had to beat Manchester City today; no Rodri, no [Kevin] De Bruyne – you’ll never get a better chance.

“It was scruffy, it went 12 rounds. But they got through it. [There is] a long long way to go but it will give them so much confidence. So much confidence.”

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

Meanwhile, celebrity Arsenal fan Piers Morgan took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to post his reaction to the game.

The former Daily Mirror editor reserved special praise for summer signing Declan Rice, who played the full 90 minutes in front of a packed Emirates crowd.

Posting on X after the final whistle, Morgan wrote: “Arsenal beat the Champions and go joint top of the League. Massive moment for ⁦Mikel Arteta and his team.

“Scrappy old game but we defended like demons and ⁦Declan Rice⁩ was superb again. I bet Mikel’s never enjoyed a handshake more than this one…”

(Photo: X)

Gunners midfielder Rice, who has started all eight of Arsenal’s Premier League games since his move from West Ham United in the summer transfer window, also earned praise from former England striker Gary Lineker.

Posting on his own X account, Lineker wrote: “Important victory for Arsenal in many ways. Declan Rice the best player on the pitch imho.”

Arsenal will face Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 21 October in their next Premier League game, after the international break.

The post Gary Neville and Piers Morgan react to Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Man City appeared first on The Sport Review.

The Gunners will host the defending champions in front of their home fans this weekend as they bid to close the gap on the Premier League leaders.

Arsenal currently sit a point behind Pep Guardiola’s table toppers after City suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mikel Arteta’s men were comfortable 4-0 winners at Bournemouth last Saturday but fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat by Lens in the Champions League in midweek.

Bukayo Saka (Photo: Adidas)

Arsenal star man Bukayo Saka had to be substituted due to a hamstring injury picked up during the European loss, while Gabriel Martinelli is also out due to a hamstring problem picked up against Everton.

Manchester City, meanwhile, will be without key man Rodri for the trip to The Emirates after the Spaniard picked up a three-game suspension following his red card against Nottingham Forest.

Former Arsenal midfielder Merson feels that the Gunners must not lose Sunday’s game and he feels that the game is likely to end all square in a 1-1 draw, admitting that he “can’t see” how the north Londoners can win the clash.

“If I had predicted this game on Tuesday, I’d have definitely backed Arsenal to win this game,” Merson told Sportskeeda.

“Manchester City are without Rodri and they aren’t the same team. Arsenal will now have to do without Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and I can’t see how Arsenal can win this game.”

Arsenal legend Paul Merson (Photo: Sky Sports)

Merson also explained how he believes that Sunday’s clash could end up shaping the Premier League title race over the next few weeks, with Manchester City gunning for their fourth straight title.

“Arsenal got an opening in the title race last week, and they’ll need to make the most of it,” Merson added. “You’ve got to make hay while the sun shines with this City team.

“If Man City are held to a draw here, they’ll have picked up only one point in their last two games. It also offers Liverpool and Tottenham a chance to fight for the Premier League title.

“I don’t think Arsenal need to win this game, but they need to make sure they don’t lose. If they get beat here, it’s déjà vu – they lost both their games against Manchester City last season. It’s going to be a very cagey match, and I think it’ll end in a draw.”

Meanwhile, former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Gael Clichy believes that Manchester City are most likely to take all three points at The Emirates on Sunday.

“It will be an amazing game with a very high intensity,” Clichy is quoted as saying by Metro. “Mikel Arteta is a copy of Pep Guardiola, you can see he’s a mini-version of him in his tactics, on the touchline and in his press conferences.

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

“I do think Manchester City will win the game, they have so much quality and still have Erling Haaland, who complicates how to defend against the whole team when he’s so dangerous. All Man City need to do is get the ball in the air to Haaland and he can hurt Arsenal.”

Sunday’s game is Arsenal’s final clash before the international break, with the Gunners set to resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Chelsea FC on Saturday 21 October.

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The north London side are preparing to host the Whites at The Emirates knowing that their lead at the top of the table could have been cut down to five points by the time they kick off.

Second-placed Manchester City will host Liverpool FC in the day’s early kick-off, giving Pep Guardiola’s men the chance to close the gap on Mikel Arteta’s table toppers.

Former England and Arsenal midfielder Merson is not expecting the Gunners to have any problems against the visitors on Saturday and is tipping the home side to claim a comfortable win.

Writing in his column for Sportskeeda, Merson said: “If City win their match against Liverpool, Arsenal have to win this game. They’ve been absolutely outstanding this season. Fulham gave United a run for their money this month, and they were battered by Arsenal. That’s how dominant Mikel Arteta’s side has been this season.

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

“Bukayo Saka is playing as well as an in-form Mohamed Salah right now, but he’ll need time to reach the numbers that Salah used to put up. Mohamed Salah was the best player in the world at a point in time. You’ve got to remember that we’re talking about a young kid – Salah was at Chelsea when he was Saka’s age.

“Leeds are not going to hold back and play ten men behind the ball. They’re going to have a go and I expect them to score a goal, but I don’t think they’ll keep it tight at the back.

“Arsenal are at the top of the league because everyone has been excellent. When one player doesn’t have a good game, another player steps up. They’ve been brilliant as a team and should be able to win this game.”

Meanwhile, former Chelsea FC star Chris Sutton is also expecting to see Arsenal claim a home victory on Saturday to make it seven wins in a row in the Premier League.

Ex-Chelsea FC striker Chris Sutton (Photo: BT Sport)

Despite warning the Gunners that this will not be a straightforward game, Sutton believes that Arsenal will have too much for Leeds, who are 14th in the Premier League table as things stand.

Writing in his own column for BBC Sport, Sutton said: “I have said many times this season that Leeds have got some talented players who have not put a 90-minute performance together, and they finally did that with their 4-2 win at Wolves before the international break.

“I certainly don’t see this as being straightforward for Arsenal but the Gunners are on this marvellous run of six successive league wins since they lost to Manchester City in February, and they always seem to find a way of getting the right result.

“Leeds will be lively and I really like Wilfried Gnonto when he gets on the ball but Arsenal have got Bukayo Saka, who is the best right-winger in the world at the moment.

“Gabriel Jesus will be closer to full fitness now too after getting some minutes under his belt in March so they have got some great options up front. Arsenal will create lots of chances and I don’t see Leeds keeping them out.”

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The 21-year-old has been one of the key figures in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge this season, with the England international having started every one of the Gunners’ 28 games in the top flight this term.

Saka has underlined his growing importance to the Arsenal team by scoring 12 goals and making 10 assists in 28 games for the Gunners to help Mikel Arteta’s men build an eight-point lead at the top of the table.

The attacker’s current contract with Arsenal is due to expire in the summer of 2024, but reports in the British media last month said that Saka had reached a verbal agreement with the Gunners to extend his deal until June 2028.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano (Photo: Fabrizio Romano / YouTube)

Italian reporter Romano has now taken to social media to claim that nothing has changed in the situation and that Saka is likely to put pen to paper on his new deal shortly.

Posting on Twitter on Tuesday morning, Romano said: “Arsenal star Bukayo Saka will sign his new contract very soon, no changes in the plan as verbal agreement is in place since February.

“Three clubs [two from England and one from abroad] were monitoring Saka’s contract situation since long time but no way: he’s staying.”

In other transfer news, Arsenal continue to be credited with an interest in signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice this summer.

Recent reports have suggested that the Gunners are leading the race to sign the England international as Arteta aims to bolster his squad ahead of next season.

Now, former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has stated his belief that Rice would be an excellent signing for the north Londoners.

“He’s a midfielder who can do anything,” Wilshere said of Rice. “Anyone who supports any club would want Dec to join. If I’m talking from a selfish point of view, in north London, I think he would be very good under Mikel’s watch.

Declan Rice (Photo: Marco Canoniero / depositphotos.com)

“Mikel would develop him, bring him on even more and he would be massive for the team as well. I have had conversations with Dec and told him what he is doing in unbelievable, he is captain of a big Premier League club and is always learning.

“You have to be respectful to West Ham, that is his club, but his future is in his hands and it’s very exciting for him because he’s got everything with him now and he’s picking up more and more, he’s growing into this man who could play anywhere.

“I’m looking forward to wherever he goes. I hope it is Arsenal, it would be a massive signing and a perfect fit.”

The post ‘Very soon’: Fabrizio Romano provides update on Arsenal star’s future appeared first on The Sport Review.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been a constant presence in the West Ham United team this season, scoring two goals and making two assists in 26 Premier League games for the Hammers.

Rice has also been establishing himself as a regular fixture in the England team, with the midfielder having notched up five appearances at the World Cup and playing the full 90 minutes in the Three Lions’ recent Euro qualifying wins over Italy and Ukraine.

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Marco Iacobucci / depositphotos.com)

Speculation about Rice’s future is nothing new. The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move to sign Rice in the summer transfer window in recent weeks, with the midfielder having also long been touted as a possible target for Chelsea FC.

Former Liverpool FC and England midfielder Murphy believes this summer would be the right time for Rice to seek a move away from the London Stadium – and he feels that Arsenal and Chelsea FC would be suitable destinations for him.

“Declan Rice has to leave West Ham,” Murphy told the Daily Mail. “Ideally he would have gone last summer because it’s been hard for him to maintain his best form in a team that doesn’t keep the ball or boss games as well as others.

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

“He’s 100 per cent ready to move to the next level and at 24 won’t want to wait any longer for Champions League football.

“Arsenal would be a great option and I think he’d be an automatic starter. The lure of Chelsea is also strong, having grown up supporting the club and playing in their academy.”

Murphy’s comments come after fresh reports that Arsenal are leading the race to land Rice this summer.

Football Insider reported on Friday that the Gunners are leading the way in the race to land the midfielder, with Chelsea FC still also interested in pursuing a deal.

The same report states that Rice has rejected West Ham’s multiple offers of a new contract, and that he has his sights firmly set on a move to a club playing Champions League football next season.

Rice’s current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2024, but the Hammers do have the option of extending that deal by a further 12 months, the report says.

Despite his fine form, Rice has recently been challenged to up his game by former Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness.

The Scot feels that Rice has plenty of room for improvement in a handful of areas as he looks to develop into a top-class midfielder.

“He [Rice] needs to get on the half-turn more when he receives the ball from his defenders and play it forward more, and not be content with going back to where it came from and square with his passes,” Souness told the Daily Mail.

Former Liverpool FC star Graeme Souness (Photo: Sky Sports)

“And he needs to chip in with more goals. He has scored twice in the Premier League this season in 26 games and it’s not enough.

“Now Rice has said his piece, too. He thinks that my criticism is ‘harsh’ and that I don’t see him play every week. That’s true. But I have seen him enough, for West Ham and for England.

“I watched the game against Italy and the same things were on show. Any world-class midfield player is on the half-turn most of the time and looking to play forwards. How many times did Rice do that in Naples? Not nearly enough for me.”

Souness added: “I bet Declan is a cracking lad to work with and popular with his team-mates and great to manage. But he needs to aim for the stars. This is just my opinion.”

The post Pundit urges England midfielder to consider Arsenal or Chelsea FC transfer appeared first on The Sport Review.

The north London side are currently setting the pace at the top of the English top flight as the Gunners aim to lift the prestigious trophy for the first time since their famous unbeaten triumph in the 2003-04 campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side are eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City at the top of the table having played one game more than the defending champions as they eye the title.

Manchester City have the chance to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table back down to five points when they host Liverpool FC in Saturday’s early kick-off, with Arsenal taking on Leeds United at The Emirates later in the day.

Van Persie won the Premier League title with Manchester United in the 2012-13 campaign after having left Arsenal to join the Red Devils – and the former Netherlands striker is backing the Gunners to go all the way this season following their impressive recent six-game winning streak.

“If you look at this period of time, this is where every single point really counts,” Van Persie told Sky Sports, as quoted by Metro.

Robin van Persie (Photo: BT Sport)

“They’ve had a couple of difficult games recently. They got the three points there, and that is what makes a champion’s team.

“They’ve been proving that. But the last stretch is always the difficult one, so it’ll be interesting to see.

“But my personal feeling is that they will go for it – that they will win the league. It’s been a while, so I’m happy for them to win it.”

Bukayo Saka earned fresh praise over the weekend after he scored one goal and set up the other in England’s 2-0 win over Ukraine in Euro 2026 qualifying.

The 21-year-old has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers this season, netting 12 goals and notching up 10 assists in 28 Premier League games.

And England boss Gareth Southgate was full of praise for the Arsenal attacker following his stellar performance for the Three Lions on Sunday.

“It was a top-level finish,” Southgate said of Saka’s goal. “That is the ruthless part he has added to his game in the last 18 months or so.

Bukayo Saka (Photo: Adidas)

“There were times you weren’t sure he was going to finish but now he has that confidence in front of goal.

“His hunger and his humility have got him on a good path so he has all the attributes to continue to improve and learn because that is how he is wired, and I don’t see that changing with him and his family. I am not going to get drawn on where he is in world football.

“He is progressing brilliantly, a joy to work with. When he is in front of goal now he plays with real belief and that is evident with his club and with his games with us.”

The post ‘My personal feeling is’: Robin van Persie reveals prediction for Arsenal’s season appeared first on The Sport Review.

Arsenal are currently eight points clear at the top of the English top flight after having enjoyed a stellar season under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners have played one more game than second-placed Manchester City and will face off with Pep Guardiola’s side on 26 April in what could be a pivotal game in the title race.

The north London side will face Leeds United at home after the international break as they look to continue their charge towards the top-flight title.

Former Chelsea FC and Celtic star Cascarino feels that Arsenal are the favourites to win the title this season thanks to the spirit and togetherness they have been showing.

“I would still go for Arsenal,” Cascarino told The Times. “Everyone at the club is on board with the approach – the players, the staff and the fans – and the team have belief.

“We all assume that City’s brilliance will enable them to win their remaining games, including at home to Arsenal, but that is not a given, especially with the distractions of the Champions League and FA Cup.

Granit Xhaka (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

“Arsenal, in contrast, have only the league on which to concentrate.”

Meanwhile, Cascarino is also tipping Manchester United to finish in the top four this season, backing Erik ten Hag’s side to end up third in the table.

The Red Devils are currently third in the table and a point ahead of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur having played two games less than the Lilywhites.

Cascarino is also expecting Tottenham to drop out of the top four following their recent stuttering form.

“Manchester United should do it [finish in the top four] because they have found ways of winning even when playing poorly,” Cascarino added.

“I think Newcastle United will be the other Champions League qualifiers; they have had their down period and I expect them to finish strongly.

Erik ten Hag (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

“Tottenham Hotspur simply are not good enough to achieve fourth place, while Liverpool could have slipped out of contention after their next three games against Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal.”

Elsewhere, Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has taken to social media to thank fans for their support after he was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

The Japan international picked up the problem during Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon last week and underwent surgery to correct the issue.

Posting on Instagram this week, Tomiyasu said: “Heads up and stay positive. I believe that this is the opportunity to be a better person and player. Thank you for your warm message and support. See you soon!”

The post Pundit predicts where Arsenal, Man United are likely to finish appeared first on The Sport Review.

The north London side sealed an impressive 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace in front of their home fans at the weekend to stretch their advantage over Manchester City at the top of the table, although the Gunners have now played one game more than the Citizens.

Manchester City will have the chance to close the gap back down to five points when they host Liverpool FC on Saturday 1 April before Arsenal host Leeds United later on the same day.

Former Arsenal star Merson feels that the scheduling of the remaining fixtures of the season could play a major part in deciding where the title ends up – but he is still expecting to see the Gunners lift the trophy in late May.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson said: “Arsenal’s destiny will be decided when the TV fixtures get released, in terms of who plays first on a weekend. I say that because if Arsenal play first they could go 11 points clear at the top.

“I know Man City would have two games in hand but it’s a huge swing. 11 points is massive, you can’t make any mistakes. The pressure can get to you. It’s a really big advantage to be able to play your game without distractions.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson (Photo: Sky Sports)

“I see Arsenal winning it from here. The way they are dismantling lesser teams is unreal.

“You’d have thought Arsenal were playing against nine men at Fulham last week, that’s how dominant they were. The same against Crystal Palace. Arsenal are Rolls-Royce. I don’t see them getting caught.”

Meanwhile, former West Ham United star Bobby Zamora believes that Arsenal’s exit from the Europa League last week could work in their favour, leaving the Gunners with only their remaining 10 Premier League games to focus on while Manchester City compete in both the FA Cup and Champions League as well as the top flight.

Asked if he expects Arsenal to win the Premier League, Zamora told Stadium Astro: “I think they will. Just having that full focus on the Premier League now, no other distractions, could really help them.

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

“To be honest they are probably the best side I’ve watched live this season. I got to Brighton quite often and Brighton are a very good side, but out of all the best teams that have come to Brighton, Arsenal have been the one standout side for me.

“They really impressed and shocked me when I watched them live. They really, really impressed me. I think having just the Premier League to focus on, they will have enough about them. They’re in a real good place now, they’re fully focused and they’re scoring goals.”

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