Former England midfielder Paul Merson has boldly claimed that Arsenal will finally break their 22‑year drought and lift another Premier League trophy provided they can overcome Fulham at the Emirates. His confidence comes despite recent concerns voiced by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who warned that Marco Silva’s side could prove to be a slippery "banana skin" for the league leaders as they juggle a packed schedule of domestic and European commitments.
Arsenal head into the Saturday night clash against Fulham with a slender three‑point lead at the summit of the table. That advantage was earned after a tense 1‑0 victory over Newcastle United, a result that saw the Gunners leapfrog Manchester City – who still have a game in hand – and briefly sit atop the standings.
The win against Newcastle was secured by a spectacular ninth‑minute strike from Eberechi Eze, who gave Arsenal the early edge. However, the excitement was short‑lived; the team struggled to find rhythm for the remainder of the match and even saw Yoane Wissa fire a close‑range effort over the bar in the dying moments, nearly handing the visitors a point.
Statistically, Arsenal’s performance against Newcastle was underwhelming. Their expected goals (xG) total for the match was a modest 0.49, indicating that they created very few clear‑cut chances. Yet Merson remains convinced that the upcoming Fulham game will be the decisive moment in the title race, regardless of the nerves that have been evident in recent weeks.
"If we beat Fulham, it will be Arsenal’s league title," Merson declared on the Premier League Show. "We didn’t look like we were going to score against Newcastle, and that worries me.
You go 1‑0 up against a struggling side, you expect them to fight back, but they didn’t. The problem is everyone is nervous. At the end of the season any mistake could be the end of the campaign. We can’t afford to finish second four times in a row." Carragher, meanwhile, painted a broader picture of the challenges Arsenal face.
He highlighted the demanding fixture list that sees the Gunners playing three matches in a six‑day window – a Wednesday Champions League tie, a Thursday recovery, and a Saturday Premier League game – compared with Manchester City’s more relaxed schedule of two games in the same period. The physical toll of travelling from a midweek Champions League semi‑final in Madrid back to London for a Saturday league match, he argued, could be a decisive factor.
"Arsenal have been unlucky with the scheduling," Carragher told Sky Sports News. "They’re playing on Wednesday and then again on Saturday, which is a big ask. The fatigue will build up, and Fulham are a decent side. One slip‑up could feel like the league is lost for them." The upcoming fixture is part of an intense run of four games in just 11 days for Arsenal, encompassing both Premier League and Champions League duties.
In contrast, City will only have two games in the same timeframe, giving them a clear advantage in terms of rest and recovery. This disparity has fueled speculation about whether Arsenal can maintain the intensity required to win the title.
Carragher also reflected on Arsenal’s performance against Newcastle, suggesting that the concerns are less about nerves and more about fatigue. He noted that while Arsenal’s pressing and defensive organization remain among the best in Europe, the players appeared sluggish and allowed Newcastle too much space on the ball.
He compared the midfield battle to the ease with which Newcastle’s players, reminiscent of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, could dictate play, indicating that Arsenal’s energy levels were waning. "My worry isn’t the nerves any more; it’s fatigue," Carragher said.
"Arsenal are the best team without the ball, but when they are at their best they are a top‑class pressing side. Yet against Newcastle they seemed leggy, allowing easy passes and giving up space. That’s a sign of tiredness that could be dangerous as we approach the final stretch." With the title race hanging in the balance, both former players agree that the Fulham game could be a turning point. Merson believes a win will clinch the championship, while Carragher cautions that the match could expose Arsenal’s vulnerability to fatigue and the congested schedule.
The Gunners will need to summon both mental resilience and physical freshness to navigate the challenge. Fans can catch the live action on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 5 p.m.
on Saturday. As the season reaches its climax, every point becomes crucial, and the pressure on Arteta’s side will only intensify. Whether Arsenal can rise above the nerves, manage the demanding calendar, and avoid becoming the proverbial banana skin remains to be seen, but the stakes could not be higher for a club eager to end a two‑decade wait for league glory.