Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions could come crashing down this weekend if they fail to beat Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Former Gunners midfielder Paul Merson has sounded the alarm, declaring Sunday’s match a must-win for Mikel Arteta’s side—especially with Liverpool already five points ahead and poised to extend their lead before Arsenal even kicks off.
Arsenal Walking a Tightrope in Title Race
The Gunners have endured a challenging start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, navigating a tough early fixture list. After a commanding opening-day win at Old Trafford against Manchester United, Arsenal followed it up with a 5-0 demolition of Leeds United at home. Post-international break, they eased past Nottingham Forest 3-0 but suffered a narrow loss to Liverpool and dropped points again last weekend in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
While their Carabao Cup progress remains on track following a 2-0 victory over Port Vale, league consistency has eluded them—something Merson believes could be fatal to their title challenge if it continues.
Liverpool’s Hot Streak Piles Pressure on Arsenal
Arne Slot’s Liverpool have hit the ground running, winning all five of their opening matches—albeit with performances that haven’t always dazzled. The Reds will face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, and should they take all three points, they’ll open up an eight-point gap over Arsenal before Sunday’s game in the northeast.
Merson insists that deficit would be insurmountable: “If Liverpool win at Palace and Arsenal lose at Newcastle, it’s finished. Kaput. Eight points is too much to claw back, even with 30-plus games left.”
Merson: “This is a Must-Win of the Highest Order”
Speaking in his Sky Sports column, Merson emphasized the magnitude of Sunday’s clash. “It’s a must, must-win football match of the highest level for Arsenal,” he said. The ex-midfielder dismissed the idea that time is on Arsenal’s side, warning fans against complacency over the long season.
“If I told you Liverpool were starting the season with an eight-point head start, no Arsenal fan would believe they could win the league. That’s effectively what could happen this weekend.”
A Narrow Path to Redemption
Despite his stark warning, Merson still sees a potential path for Arsenal—if they can take four points from their back-to-back matches against City and Newcastle. “I thought they’d beat City and draw at Newcastle,” he explained. “Now they have to win at St James’ Park to stay in the race.”
He acknowledged the difficulty of Arsenal’s schedule, calling it “one of the toughest starts in Premier League history.” But if the Gunners can come through the weekend still only five points off top, Merson believes they’ll still be in with a shout—especially since Liverpool’s trip to Selhurst Park is far from guaranteed.
What’s at Stake
Sunday’s showdown in Newcastle isn’t just about three points—it’s about whether Arsenal can sustain a credible title challenge. With Liverpool looking relentless and the margin for error razor-thin, anything less than a win could derail the Gunners’ season before it truly begins.
