Arsenal went seven points clear of Man City and Aston Villa and Paul Merson now believes the title race could be over.
The Gunners were under pressure to deliver at Elland Road and they produced a monster performance to dismantle Leeds 4-0.
Even more impressive for Arsenal was how they rung the changes and had to make another just before kick off as Bukayo Saka dropped out injured.
Agree or disagree: Eze should get more minutes AND start over Trossard!
Needless to say, Noni Madueke produced the goods in his place while the starters and subs all made their mark.
And according to Paul Merson, it was a statement performance as he made a key point about the five changes Arteta did make.
Paul Merson suggests Arsenal have just won the Premier League
Going back to being seven points clear will feel massive for Arsenal.
We know that the gap could be cut again tomorrow as both Aston Villa and Man City in action.
Still, according to former midfielder Merson, the performance at Elland Road won Arsenal the title today.
“Arsenal were outstanding. There was a lot of pressure on them because I thought if they got beat, the scrutiny was going to increase,” Merson said on Sky Sports.
However, they have gone seven points clear again with a win at a really hard place to go in Elland Road. At times, it was like boys vs men. Arsenal just brushed them aside. They were A+. I can’t emphasise how good a result and performance it was.”
Speaking on the strength of the squad, Merson suggested that all five subs would get in every other team.
“Elland Road was rocking but once Arsenal got into the game, they were dominant all over the pitch. The squad is just phenomenal. Noni Madueke comes in for Bukayo Saka and gets two assists. There were five players that came on in Martinelli, Eze, Odegaard, Jesus and Calafiori – what team don’t they get in?
“That was the game that won Arsenal the Premier League. Man City now have to go to Tottenham and win.”
A big win for Arsenal but the title race is not over
We can see what Merson is getting at here. It did feel a big game and Arsenal’s performance was one that we often see Champions produce.
However, to say they won the title based on today is a bit of a stretch. Of course, should City lose at Tottenham then things might look very rosy indeed for the Gunners.
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But even the most optimistic Arsenal fan is not silly enough to suggest it’s over.
Arsenal have been here before and while getting a big win at Elland Road is big, it’s not the end of the road.
Mikel Arteta will be drilling that message into his players from now on and they know full well that just one more slip up could blow the race wide open.
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