Former England midfielder Paul Merson said the focus has now shifted to Manchester City after Arsenal’s 3‑0 victory over Fulham on Saturday. The win moved the Gunners six points clear of the Premier League leaders and increased pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side as they prepare for a home clash with Everton on Monday night, followed by a fixture against Brentford the following week.
Viktor Gyökeres opened the scoring in the 28th minute, before Buk Saka doubled Arsenal’s lead a minute later. Gyökeres added a second goal in the second half to complete the rout. The result lifted Arsenal to 71 points after 30 league matches, extending their lead at the top of the table and marking a swift recovery from a 4‑0 defeat to Bournemouth earlier in the season.
Merson, speaking to Sky Sports, highlighted the timing of the result. “For the next four or five days until Man City play Everton and Brentford, the pressure is on them now,” he said. He praised Arsenal’s response, describing it as “massive” after the “absolute nightmare” loss at Bournemouth. Merson added that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta “couldn’t have dreamed” of the performance delivered on Saturday.
The win also secured a clean sheet for Arsenal’s goalkeeper, further boosting their defensive record. Meanwhile, Manchester City remain unbeaten in the league but have dropped points in recent fixtures, leaving them vulnerable to a slip in form. Their upcoming match against Everton will be crucial in maintaining the lead, while Brentford provides an additional test in the following week.
Arsenal’s next challenge comes in the FA Cup, where they face a fourth‑round tie against Sheffield United on Saturday. A win would keep their cup run alive and maintain momentum in the league title race. For Manchester City, the Everton game offers an opportunity to recover lost ground and re‑assert their dominance ahead of the season’s final stretch.
Both clubs are now under heightened scrutiny as the Premier League title race tightens. The outcomes of the forthcoming fixtures are likely to shape the championship narrative for the remainder of the campaign.
