Merse: Arsenal back in title race control despite dropping to second

Paul Merson says Man City not beating Burnley by a large margin has handed control back to Arsenal in Premier League title race; watch Arsenal vs Newcastle live on Sky Sports on Saturday from 5pm, kick-off 5.30pm

Football Expert & Columnist @PaulMerse

Wednesday 22 April 2026 22:49, UK

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In his latest column, Sky Sports' Paul Merson says the Premier League title race could come down to goal difference - especially after Manchester City only beat Burnley 1-0.

Pep Guardiola's side are now top of the Premier League, but are level with Arsenal on points and goal difference after missing several chances at Turf Moor on Wednesday. City have scored 66 goals this season - three more than Arsenal - meaning they are top on goals scored.

Merson believes that City needed a statement performance at Burnley to take control of the title race.

Read below for the Magic Man's thoughts on the top of the table...

Arsenal's performance was good at the Etihad, but they lost a game they couldn't afford to lose. You don't need to be playing well and losing football matches. From absolutely nowhere, Manchester City are top of the league. It's scary.

But Arsenal play twice before City do and could go six points clear again - and they've got to make that count. They have to win those two games against Newcastle and Fulham to put the pressure back on City. It's a must.

City's last five games? They don't look too hard for them. They've got Everton and Brentford - two teams fighting for Europe - but two of their other games are absolutely gimmes. They've got Crystal Palace at home, who may have one eye on a Conference League final, and Bournemouth.

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And then on the final day they've got Aston Villa, I'm pretty sure they will have already secured Champions League football and the priority that week would be the Europa League final (played four days before the final day of the Premier League season). So that's a nothing game.

Arsenal are back in the title race. City didn't rip Burnley up by four or five, they're not going to do that against Everton in their next game.

Everton are very good defensively, so are Brentford. Bournemouth are also very good at the back.

The Premier League title race could come down to goal difference.

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Arsenal were unlucky at the Etihad. Kai Havertz slipped when he should have scored in the second half. Eberechi Eze had that shot which hit the post and rolled along the line - on another day, at the start of the season when you're a bit more free, that goes in.

And how unlucky were Arsenal with Gabriel's header. It could have easily hit Nico O'Reilly's arm and if it does, it's a penalty. But unbelievably, it hits his side and then bounces off the post.

But I don't like people not picking people up. And Gabriel Martinelli didn't when he failed to track Nico O'Reilly's run for Manchester City's winner.

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Don't worry about pressing Marc Guehi. Guehi's not the problem. He's standing on the edge of his own box, let him have it there! He switched off, and when you switch off, that's what happens.

When you're at a club like Arsenal, you get told to do these things once. Once. You can't keep getting told.

Yes, O'Reilly still has the whole length of the pitch to run. But Martinelli's got to nip that in the bud. You've got to know that's the danger.

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