Arsenal are set to face Chelsea in a crucial game in the Premier League title race, and a loss could end their hopes for glory this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side came agonisingly close to winning the Premier League last season, finishing just two points behind Manchester City, but they are now faltering after a poor recent run.
Arsenal will now face their fourth consecutive away game as they travel to Stamford Bridge to face bitter rivals Chelsea, who will start the match ahead of them on goal difference.
Club icon Paul Merson has claimed that anything other than an Arsenal win will put an end to their title hopes, but the former midfielder may actually be hoping for his old side to lose.
How Paul Merson became an Arsenal icon
The Englishman enjoyed an incredibly successful 11-year spell at Arsenal between 1986 and 1997, as Merson scored 99 goals in 417 appearances across all competitions.
He won two First Division titles under George Graham during this time, and played a part in Arsenal’s legendary victory at Anfield in 1989 to seal glory in the last minute.
Merson also won several domestic and European trophies, including the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup, and is admired by Arsenal fans who grew up watching him during his spell at Highbury.
However, despite his huge connection to Arsenal, Merson actually supports their bitter rivals Chelsea.
Why Paul Merson supports Chelsea
Despite being an outspoken pundit on Arsenal, and a iconic figure during the 1990s, Merson is actually a Chelsea fan, and always has been.
Merson was born in North West London, and grew up as a Chelsea fan despite coming through the Arsenal academy.
The Sky Sports pundit confirmed this in February 2024, before Chelsea’s clash with Burnley.
“I started supporting Chelsea at five. My first game was 50 years ago. I can’t remember us getting beaten conceding four twice in a row and when I was growing up, we weren’t great. There are too many players that aren’t good enough,” he posted on X.
A month later, Merson was asked who he actually supports, and his allegiance went to Chelsea rather than Arsenal.
“Chelsea fan all my life…. Love Arsenal and Villa from my playing days,” he posted.
Merson never actually played for Chelsea, but when his former side meets his favourite side, with both teams level on points, he may end up wanting Chelsea to win, which could put them into the title picture, whilst near-enough extinguishing Arsenal’s chances of league success this season.
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