"This is the problem" - Paul Merson says Arsenal risk losing out on Premier League title due to one major reason

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has criticised the Gunners for becoming predictable while casting doubt on their title credentials. The Sky Sports pundit said that Mikel Arteta's side could even finish third if they lose to Aston Villa on Saturday (February 18).

Merson gave his damning assessment of the Gunners' current stumble after they suffered a 3-1 home defeat to title rivals Manchester City on Wednesday (February 15). The loss sent the reigning champions above Arteta's outfit into top spot on goal difference.

The former England international suggests that Arsenal could slip further down the standings if they lose at Villa Park. He said:

"I think if they win this game (vs Aston Villa) they're in a title race still; if they lose this game, I would seriously be having a look at third. They look nervous; there's no change up."

Merson then touched on the Gunners' defeat to City, whose manager Pep Guardiola played Bernardo Silva at left-back up against Bukayo Saka. The English winger is renowned for cutting inside, which eventually didn't prove to be too problematic for Silva:

"No disrespect, but Silva was playing left-back; it's perfect for him, because Saka's gonna come in every time he gets the ball. If he comes in, all they were doing was shuffling across and then Rodri would be waiting for him. Silva fouled him (Saka) a couple of times."

Merson wanted to see Arteta change things, with Silva playing in an unfamiliar left-back role. He suggested that Gabriel Martinelli should have been moved to the right flank to make use of his pace:

"If he (Arteta) had took Martinelli and swapped sides just for an couple of minutes, got the ball out to Martinelli and said 'knock the ball down the wing and run him', then it would have been different."

The former Arsenal midfielder concluded by saying that Arteta's outfit have become predictable:

"They keep on playing the same way. Saka's been marked out of the game by Nathan Ake for one and a half matches. This is the problem with Arsenal now; they're predictable."

🗣️ "If they lose, I'd be having a look at third, [at] best...It's so predictable now."

Merse says today is make or break for Arsenal 😬⚖️ https://t.co/3W5OqtfPGx

Arsenal return to winning ways after trailing Aston Villa at half-time

Villa looked to put a dent in the Gunners' title hopes.

Arsenal trailed Aston Villa 2-1 at half-time of their clash at Villa Park. Ollie Watkins netted the opener from a tight angle in the fifth minute. However, poor defending from Tyrone Mings allowed Saka to smash home a half-volleyed equaliser in the 16th.

Arteta's men, though, failed to capitalise on their momentum. The Villans punished them with a slick move in the 31st minute, which Philippe Coutinho finished off, summing up a torrid first half for the north Londoners.

Phillipe Coutinho’s record vs. Arsenal:

🏟️ 12 games
⚽ 5 goals
🅰️ 1 assist

He hasn’t scored more against any other club. 🤩 https://t.co/9y4spHrVp8

The Gunners, though, scored three unanswered goals in the second half. Oleksandr Zinchenko put the visitors level at the hour mark before a Gabriel Martinelli strike and an own goal by Villa custodian Emilio Martinez ensured all three points for Arsenal.

It was destined to end 2-2 before Martinez put into his own net in the 93rd minute. Five minutes later, Martinelli rubber-stamped the Gunners' win. With the victory, Arteta's men have gone three points clear of Manchester City after 23 fames. City face Nottingham Forest later in the day.