Paul Merson backs Chelsea to hand Arsenal the Premier League title ahead of Man City

Paul Merson believes the title race will be over this weekend (Picture: Sky Sports)

Paul Merson believes Arsenal will have ‘one trophy in the bag’ following this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.

The Gunners, chasing a first league title in 22 years, will move 12 points clear at the top of the table if they beat Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday .

Mikel Arteta ’s side suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season either side of the international break, first losing to title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and then crashing out of the FA Cup against Championship side Southampton.

Arsenal produced another somewhat underwhelming display against Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday night but ground out a 1-0 win thanks to Kai Havertz’s injury-time goal .

Merson believes his former club will return to top form by dispatching Bournemouth at the weekend and believes the Premier League title race will then be ‘over’ as he backed Chelsea to frustrate Man City.

Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing City outclassed Arsenal in a Wembley final last month before thrashing reigning Premier League champions Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup .

Those results have caused concern among Arsenal fans but Merson expects Manchester City’s ominous form to end at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta is closing in on the Premier League title (Picture: Getty)

‘Arsenal are on a bit of a wobble, aren’t they? I told you last week that the FA Cup game was a banana skin and they were knocked out by Southampton,’ Merson told Sportskeeda .

‘Bournemouth are on a decent unbeaten run. But the problem is they just can’t win games.

‘I feel like people are getting a bit carried away by hyping them up for being unbeaten. If you don’t win enough games, it makes no sense in my opinion.

Pep Guardiola’s Man City are chasing Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

‘I personally think the Premier League title race will be over this weekend. I’m backing Arsenal to win, which means they go 12 points clear of Manchester City. I don’t believe City will beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

‘I’m predicting a comfortable win for Mikel Arteta’s team. Arsenal will be relieved they at least have one trophy in the bag after this weekend.’

Chelsea suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats either side of an embarrassing Champions League exit at the hands of PSG before the international break.

Liam Rosenior is already under pressure at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Liam Rosenior’s side returned to winning ways at the weekend, beating League One basement boys Port Vale 7-0 in the FA Cup .

‘Chelsea are on a poor run of form at the moment and this is a tough game, but I don’t expect them to get beat here,’ Merson added.

‘Manchester City are drawing too many games in the league and Chelsea away is not an easy fixture for them.

‘People are talking a lot about Arsenal bottling the league, but over the last five league games, they have won two points more than City!

‘So I don’t think Arsenal are doing that bad, especially with City also dropping points.

‘The next two games will define Liam Rosenior’s future at Chelsea and I expect Chelsea to give City strong competition in this game. I’m going for a draw here, which essentially means Arsenal to win the league.’