Paul Merson believes Arsenal have a very good chance of winning the Premier League title this season if they can avoid injuries to key players.
The Gunners have narrowly missed out on the elusive piece of silverware in each of the last three seasons, finishing second in all of them.
The pressure is subsequently growing on Mikel Arteta to deliver a trophy to the Emirates, with many feeling this campaign is crucial in determining the Spaniard’s future in N5.
The North London club have backed their manager in this transfer window, signing six players to bolster his squad, spending around £200 million in the process.
Paul Merson says Arsenal will win the Premier League if Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard stay fit
Arsenal have signed Viktor Gyokeres this summer to provide more goals to their often lacklustre team.
The Gunners scored 17 fewer than Liverpool last term, and thus identified the Swede as someone who can help them bridge this gap.
Martin Zubimendi has also arrived at Arsenal, signed from Real Sociedad for £55 million to replace Thomas Partey.
The Spanish midfielder, alongside the other four additions, should significantly raise the floor of Arteta’s side.
Former Arsenal forward and now pundit Paul Merson believes these signings should be enough to put his old club back in the title race, and that they can go all the way if three key players remain fit.
“Viktor Gyokeres scored a brilliant header in pre-season,” he wrote for Sportskeeda.
“When Arsenal are under pressure in certain games, he will become a nuisance to opponents by running the channels and working the defenders. He’s a real presence in front of goal and you can count on him to cause problems to opponents.
“I think Arsenal can win the league if they can keep all their main players fit. I’d be shocked if Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all play 35 games and Arsenal still don’t win the Premier League. They are massive favourites if that happens.”
Paul Merson is right to identify Martin Odegaard as a linchpin for Arsenal
Martin Odegaard struggled at times for Arsenal last season, and thus, some may sneer at Merson’s suggestion that the Gunners’ success is predicated on him remaining fit.
However, the Norwegian is still something of a single point of failure and a linchpin in Arteta’s team.
While Ethan Nwaneri can be plugged into his role quite easily, the youngster doesn’t replace what is lost without Odegaard in terms of passing.
| Martin Odegaard Statistical Comparison (Premier League Only) | |||
| Stat | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 37 | 35 | 30 |
| Goals | 15 | 8 | 3 |
| Assists | 7 | 10 | 8 |
| Shots per 90 | 2.68 | 2.18 | 1.86 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 2.19 | 2.97 | 2.44 |
| Expected Assists per 90 | 0.23 | 0.33 | 0.26 |
| Progressive Passes per 90 | 7.67 | 10 | 10 |
The Arsenal captain has averaged ten progressive passes per 90 minutes in each of the last two seasons, compared to Nwaneri’s 3.33 last term.
Meanwhile, Odegaard still completes 2.44 key passes per game, compared to Nwaneri’s 1.62.
Arsenal are still heavily reliant on the former Real Madrid man, and would suffer in his absence.
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