"They're right in this title race" - Paul Merson on Arsenal's Premier League chances

Paul, you were watching that game and he spoke a lot there about momentum, and that's exactly what they need right now, because you look at the momentum of the Champions City on this run of 11 wins in a row in all competitions. Liverpool, despite the defeat to Arsenal three weeks ago, are back in terms of wins. They've got that momentum still. In terms of Arsenal's momentum right now, how strong is it? Massive. They've got six points. They've probably got another point as well with a goal difference. 11 goals in the last two games to zero. Massive, that is. 21 in five games. Unbelievable. And they're playing well. I thought Saka was good. If your winger's getting a brace and a brace again a week later, Odegaard was outstanding as well. Arteta are looking for your havers, getting a goal as well. Everything's going well. They're solid at the back. I can't remember Rea making a save today. And they're flying. They are flying. As I say, if it was Man City now, we'd be waxing Lyric. We would be waxing Lyric. It was hard today. You've got to turn up. Your attitude's got to be right. It's pouring a rain at Burnley, and their attitude was spot on after four minutes. I mean, that's what will also please. We can talk about the goals all we like, and it's impressive, but it's that defence. It's the best in the Premier League. Didn't concede today. Didn't concede at the London Stadium last week. It's solid from back to the front. Yeah, very much. I mean, the defence always got a chance because Declan Rice is so disciplined. You know, he sits there as an oldie midfield player. Him and Rod Rea for me are the best two in the world, in my opinion. And he's very disciplined, even when it goes to 3-0 and 4-0. He's not running around trying to nick a goal or spraying 60-yard passes. He just keeps it ticking over. He's a great protection. The two lads are quick. Fofana is very quick, and he run Gabriel once, went past him. But after that, their strength, they were outstanding. Yeah, everybody was very good today. Two weeks on the trot. You know, 11 goals, none against. They're right in this title race. There's no doubt about it. They've got some nice fixtures coming up. The last time I said that, though, they went and got beat by West Ham and Fulham. But hopefully, you know, it's back on to Man City now. The pressure's on Man City. Yeah, and Porto to come in the Champions League midweek. And then you're right. There's Newcastle at home. You've got Sheffield United away, Brentford at home, and then Chelsea at home as well. I mean, they are absolutely, absolutely in this title race. What gives you hope, what gives you belief that this time around they might go one better? I think Declan Rice to start with. I think Declan Rice is a must. He keeps it solid. You know, he's very disciplined, brilliant holding midfield player. And that's why I think Man City have been successful. You look at all the talent, but when Rodri doesn't play, Man City are not the same team. Absolutely not. So he's a big one. The other one would be they were there last year. You can't beat experience. They know this year what it's going to be like. It all starts the last eight games. You've got to stay in the running. When it gets to the last eight games, it's eight cup finals, one after the other. But they're definitely in this. I think they've been outstanding to bounce back from the two defeats. Against two teams, really, they should be beating if they want to win the Premier League. But they've bounced back and they've gained the points back and they're back in the title race. That's going to be interesting from a Liverpool point of view because Jota, Nunez, Jones all picked up injuries today. We'll find out, no doubt, over the next 24 hours or so how serious those injuries are and just how long they might be out. But answer last season, you look at that injury to Saliba and what it did in terms of the title race. Were they to lose another of their significant figures? Do you think they've got more this time mentally to deal with that? No, I'm not sure about that. You're not sure? No, I'm not. I don't mean it like... We've seen, you know, you could talk about this Man City team. They've got two players in every position, world-class players. But as soon as Rodri doesn't play, they're a completely different team. It's been shown with stats and games that he hasn't played. So given that you're putting him on a similar level, you'd say the same of Rice. Oh, yeah, 100%, but I'm not just saying Rice. If Odegaard got injured, and I think this is... If Father Rodri won, I think if someone else got injured in the Man City team, I think they could cope. I think if Arsenal lost a Gabriel or a Saliba or a Rice or an Odegaard or a Saka, any one of them, I think, will majorly, majorly dent their opportunity of winning the Premier League.