Football pundit Paul Merson shares his thoughts on which team, Arsenal or Chelsea, is more likely to secure a higher position in the Premier League standings this season. Merson analyzes both clubs’ performances, squad strength, and form to predict their league outcomes.
Arsenal and Chelsea are locked in a tight battle in the Premier League this season, with both clubs vying for supremacy. After 11 matches, the London rivals sit in third and fourth place, separated only by goal difference. Arsenal, who have been more consistent in recent years, are facing a reinvigorated Chelsea side under the management of Enzo Maresca, who has brought renewed energy and optimism to Stamford Bridge.
Their recent Premier League clash ended in a draw, highlighting the competitive edge between the two sides. As both teams aim to return to winning ways this weekend, former Arsenal player and football pundit Paul Merson weighed in on their performances and shared his prediction for where they might finish this season. Writing in his SportsKeeda column, Merson expressed confidence that Arsenal will ultimately finish higher than Chelsea, despite the Blues’ promising progress.
Merson, a Chelsea fan but deeply connected to Arsenal from his playing days, commended Chelsea’s development under Maresca. He noted that the draw against Arsenal was a sign of improvement, as Chelsea might have lost such a game in past seasons. However, he remains skeptical about their ability to surpass Arsenal in the final standings. “Chelsea’s squad is really young, and while they’re heading in the right direction, I’d be shocked if they finished above Arsenal. Securing a top-four spot and winning the Europa Conference League would still make this a very successful season for them,” Merson wrote, adding that such achievements would place Chelsea in the unique position of having won all three major European trophies.
While Chelsea are slightly ahead of Arsenal in the table for now, Merson believes that Arsenal’s form and experience will ultimately see them rise above their London rivals. Arsenal have faced some setbacks, including controversial refereeing decisions that have cost them points. For example, Declan Rice’s red card against Brighton and Gabriel Jesus’ disallowed goal against Liverpool were pivotal moments that worked against the Gunners. These incidents have arguably created a misleading picture of their current position in the league.
Despite these challenges, Merson remains confident that Arsenal have the strength and resilience to overcome such setbacks. Over the course of the season, he predicts that the Gunners will capitalize on their consistency and outperform Chelsea in the race for a higher league
finish.
