Arsenal have no chance of Premier League title with difficult away run, says Paul Merson

Arsenal are eight points behind Leicester in the Premier League with nine games remaining

Paul Merson believes Arsenal have no chance of winning the Premier League title because of their difficult run of away fixtures.

Arsene Wenger's side are eight points behind league leaders Leicester City with nine games remaining, three of which are on the road at Everton, West Ham and Manchester City.

Speaking on The Fantasy Football Club podcast, Merson ruled out his former club's chances of catching Leicester and says the Foxes' main title rivals for the rest of the season could be Manchester City.

Alexis Sanchez struck late to grab a draw for Arsenal in the north London derby last Saturday

"They have no chance [of winning the league]," Merson said. "I say no chance because with the three away games they have at Everton, West Ham and Man City, the best I can see is two draws and a win, and I'm being kind with that.

"That's five points gained and it still leaves them three points behind Leicester, and Leicester would have three games in hand.

"Man City would be the dangers to Leicester for me. Arsenal and Tottenham fans are each hoping the other doesn't win the league and Leicester are going to run away from both and win it.

"The two sets of fans are going to be left saying, 'Yes, but we finished above you!' But who cares?"

Arsenal dispatched Hull City in their fifth-round replay to book a quarter-final with Watford

Arsenal will look to keep alive their hopes of a third consecutive FA Cup when they face Watford in their quarter-final on Sunday, before they head to the Nou Camp for a Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Barcelona.

They face an uphill battle to qualify after a 2-0 defeat to the Spanish side in the first leg at the Emirates, and Merson believes the FA Cup could offer their best chance of silverware this season, even if Wenger still prioritises Europe.

"Watford is Wenger's biggest game for a long, long time," he added. "I think it is a massive match but it wouldn't surprise me if he made 10 changes and saved everybody for Barcelona, which they have no chance in."