According to a report by Metro on Saturday October 31, 2026, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes his former club could put themselves in a commanding position to win the Premier League title by December 13 if they successfully navigate their difficult run of fixtures.

Mikel Arteta's side moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table after securing a 2-0 victory over Everton last weekend.

However, Arsenal suffered a disappointing setback in midweek after being eliminated from the Carabao Cup by League Two side Fleetwood Town on penalties.

The Gunners will now turn their attention to Sunday's difficult Premier League encounter against Liverpool at Anfield, where they will face a side that has rediscovered its form in recent weeks.

Arsenal also have challenging fixtures against Newcastle United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur coming up, making the next few weeks crucial to their title ambitions.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson suggested that the outcome of Arsenal's upcoming matches could determine whether they are strong favourites to retain the Premier League crown.

"What a November Arsenal have, by the way. They've got a hard month, including the start of December," Merson said.

He added: "You'll know by December 13 if Arsenal will win the Premier League. Because there's a saying: after the hard games, come the easy games."

The former England international also expressed concerns about the possible absence of Bukayo Saka during this important period.

Merson believes the Arsenal winger's contribution goes beyond scoring goals and providing assists, highlighting his ability to make important decisions during matches.

Merson acknowledged that Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze could provide alternatives if Saka is unavailable but questioned whether they could maintain their performances over an extended period.

He explained that playing regularly for six to eight weeks would present a different challenge compared with making occasional appearances in the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, Merson believes Liverpool must beat Arsenal at Anfield if they want to be considered genuine contenders for the Premier League title.

Liverpool have recovered from their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, winning their last five matches in all competitions, including victories over LASK, Brentford, Villarreal and Brighton, as well as a Carabao Cup penalty shootout win against Chelsea.

However, Merson believes another defeat would leave the Reds with a difficult task in their attempt to catch Arsenal.

"Liverpool are starting to cook a little bit, but they have got to win this Sunday if they want to be in the Premier League title race," he said.

He further argued that Liverpool would need Arsenal to drop points repeatedly while maintaining their own consistency, making a potential title challenge much more complicated.

Sunday's meeting at Anfield therefore represents an important opportunity for both clubs, with Arsenal looking to strengthen their position at the top and Liverpool hoping to close the gap.

For Merson, the results of Arsenal's upcoming difficult fixtures could provide a clear indication of whether Arteta's team have what it takes to defend their Premier League title.