Paul Merson is adamant Arsenal have blown their chances of winning the Premier League after suffering a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
The former Gunners midfielder lamented the efforts of Ben White and Kai Havertz after watching his old side go down to goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.
Defeat left Arsenal two points behind Manchester City. Mikel Arteta's side's title aspirations had earlier been given a boost by Liverpool's defeat to Crystal Palace.
'You’ve got to stop that cross.' He said on Sky Sports, in reference to Havertz's attempt to close down Lucas Digne for Villa's opener.
'There was a time when Ben White jumped out of a tackle before coming off. You’ve got to stop these things. These chances come around not too many chances in a lifetime of winning the league and you’ve got to get out there and stop that.
'Ben White is jumping out of a tackle, he’s a defender jumping out.
‘You don’t get these chances. You go home tonight and think that’s gone. For me it’s gone. You’ve worked that hard for 32 games to go that extra yard, just one yard to stop that cross.
'It’s lazy. It’s 100% gone.’
Arsenal's defeat has stoked fears of a collapse similar to that which they endured at the end of last season. The Gunners enjoyed a healthy advantage over City before winning only three of their final eight games.
Pep Guardiola's side now sit top of the pile, in search of a record-fourth consecutive league title, with only six games left to play.
Merson believes that the relentless defending champions will have no issue securing maximum points from their remaining games.
'They’re chasing the best team in the world.' He added. 'The best team who have done it year in year out.
'It’s not like we’re sitting here thinking “I wonder how Man City will be this season with the rest of the games”.
'They will reel them off. They’ll keep playing and playing and wiping teams away. If it was someone else they were chasing down, every chance. 'I’ve seen this team too many times, they’re bang out of luck Arsenal. They’re chasing one of the best teams ever to play football.'
Ubong12
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Since Arsenal have been winning nobody talks about Timber. Just one loss now Zinchenko is too fragile where is Timber? Humm!! Football fans.
Maybe this is first time you stroll round my comment, i've always been vocal about TIMBER for real, even when we won 6-0s , 4-1 he has always been giving us shaky moments like that, not that he's not good but he should be used in the midfield
ksantos
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it is Okay Paul sometimes you lose, we United fans are used to losing and drawing all the time
sidabcopr
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It's now I believe that Arsenal are truly gonerns..
malablata
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Paul, you are a liar, Havertz is a hardworker, he was played out of position but still did his best.
Cupabcnt
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Kai is the most useless player in Arsenal squad and I wonder how Mikel is married to him 😭😔😭
havert didn't convert 2 good chances in the first half. stop praising him
Faebdmorz
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My one and only question is when is TIMBER coming back?? He always own that leftback and can also invert; when is he gonna be fit to play again?? Zinny is just too fragile
Since Arsenal have been winning nobody talks about Timber. Just one loss now Zinchenko is too fragile where is Timber? Humm!! Football fans.
Abatism
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Zincheko, Saka, Rice, Trossard, Jesus...all relied on luck to win the match while Aston Villa came technically to gun down the Emirates, stole 3 points and climb up the ladder.
Niudempu
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Kai is the most useless player in Arsenal squad and I wonder how Mikel is married to him 😭😔😭
then u know nothing about football... he's the second best player for arsenal today after odegaard...blame Rice, Jesus, trossard and zinchenko
toubilnrs
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Kai play well. But the midfield was exposed you’re not talking about rice no where to be found
English pundits are hypocrites
Yorokiri
1
When things go wrong they will look for whom to blame...
Ubong12
1
My one and only question is when is TIMBER coming back?? He always own that leftback and can also invert; when is he gonna be fit to play again?? Zinny is just too fragile
Imole10120
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Kai play well. But the midfield was exposed you’re not talking about rice no where to be found
young_boss
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meanwhile Arsenal men lost today, and their women vent their anger on Bristol....😝😆
Poyabkrty
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when they win we don't hear all these name calling.Get behind the squad or support Man U
Physoye
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The bottlers fc with toothless guns. They are gonners. We know them.
umidjon19
1
Kai played well. But Zinchenko didn't know what he was doing on the pitch. 1. First touches are awful 2. Where was he when Bailey was shooting on his side ? And second goal too. 3. When he plays, our left side is not working. He's playing as a central midfielder. Just get rid of him, please.
nobleng123
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e shock you?
Nibklmptz
1
Kai is the most useless player in Arsenal squad and I wonder how Mikel is married to him 😭😔😭