Paul Merson names team who will ‘give Arsenal problems’ during Premier League title race

Paul Merson believes one team will ‘give Arsenal problems’ as they continue their quest to finally win the Premier League again.

The Gunners have emerged as the frontrunners to become champions after going four points clear at the top of the table following Sunday’s win over Crystal Palace.

Moreover, main title rivals Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are dropping points, with many, including Gary Neville, certain that this is the season Mikel Arteta finally gets his hands on the trophy.

Across all competitions, Arsenal have won 11 of 13 games, conceding just three goals, with a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool and a 1-1 draw with Man City the only blemishes on their record.

They do have a tricky month of fixtures ahead of them however, including London derbies against Tottenham and Chelsea, and a blockbuster Champions League match with Bayern Munich.

But Merson has singled out a different upcoming game which could be very difficult for his former club, and it’s one that he initially thought would be a straightforward win.

‘When I saw Arsenal’s fixtures recently, I thought they had such an easy run of games,’ the Gunners hero wrote in his Sky Sports column.

‘But, in a couple of weeks, Sunderland are going to give them such a hard game at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland will cause Arsenal problems.

‘They are an athletic team with pace. They are well drilled and organised, and they counter with pace. They also make the right decisions on the counter, picking the right pass. They didn’t waste the ball when they had it.

‘I was so impressed with them at Stamford Bridge, and you have to say they are safe. They were superb.’

Returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, Sunderland were one of the favourites for relegation, but the Black Cats have enjoyed a sensational start to the season.

Regis Le Bris’ side have lost just two of their opening nine games and Saturday’s stunning 2-1 victory at Chelsea has moved them up to fourth in the table, five points behind Arsenal.

Key to their scintillating form is former Gunners captain Granit Xhaka who joined the North East club from Bayer Leverkusen in a surprise summer transfer.

‘Whoever is in charge of Sunderland’s recruitment needs a knighthood,’ Merson added.

‘Xhaka has been some buy, but it is not just him. Every player that has come in has been exceptional.

‘I don’t want to put any unnecessary pressure on them, but they don’t have to worry about relegation now after this start. They need another four or five wins in 29 football matches and I expect them to do that easy.’

Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light on November 8 but first up they have a Carabao Cup clash against Brighton on Wednesday night.

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