Arsenal's Premier League hopes hinge on Sky Sports decision which can 'take its toll'

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Arsenal's Premier League title hopes could rest on the TV schedules determined by Sky Sports and TNT Sports claims Paul Merson - with the order of the fixtures adding pressure.

The Gunners currently lead the table but dropped points again on Wednesday night as they let a two-goal lead slip at bottom side Wolves , who scored their equaliser in the 94th minute to deprive the north Londoners of two points.

It means Manchester City now have a game in hand and can close to within two points of their rivals, whom they have overhauled several times in the past. Arsenal need to prove they can get over the line with pressure mounting - and TV decisions could become a factor.

City and Arsenal are unlikely to be regularly handed 3pm kick-offs, given the demand to see them on TV, which means they will play in either the lunchtime or evening slots on Saturday, on Sunday or even Monday nights.

Merson believes whoever gets to play first may well land the title with history suggesting that those who have to follow their rival having a harder time of it.

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He said: "Title will go down to whoever plays first, and Sky have a massive part to play in that. Tiger Woods always wanted to take the first tee shot to put the pressure on. I saw it many years ago when Spurs always had to respond to Leicester . It takes its toll in the end."

The next round of Premier League fixtures changes for TV coverage are set to be announced on March 4, covering gameweeks 32 to 34. This weekend City play Newcastle on Saturday before Arsenal have to respond on Sunday when they face north London rivals Tottenham . The following week City again play before Arsenal. It isn't until gameweek 29 that the two teams will kick-off at the time time.

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Mikel Arteta's side head into that derby having won just two of their last seven Premier League games, which has allowed Pep Guardiola's side to close the gap.

Merson believes the pressure is getting to a Gunners team with little to no experience of winning trophies amid constant criticism that they cannot get over the line.

"It's disappointing. You can't play in second gear. When Wolves went to 2-2, there was an urgency. They didn't have that before. You can't play like that. Every game is a cup final to the end," he said. "It's going come on full blast now, being bottle jobs, melting. It's full-on now - drawing away at Brentford and then being two goals up against the worst team in the league."

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