Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in what has become a must-win game for the Gunners to remain in the Premier League title race.

Mikel Arteta’s side have lost two of their last three league games and were also beaten 1-0 by Inter Milan in Europe, representing an abysmal run in all competitions.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have fared quite well under Enzo Maresca and are level on points with the Gunners as they look to compound their misery.

And Paul Merson believes an exciting game could be on the cards as he delivered his scoreline prediction.

Paul Merson predicts a draw between Chelsea and Arsenal

With Liverpool and Manchester City playing before them, the pressure will be on Arsenal if their two rivals manage to win their respective games.

Merson feels his former team are effectively out of the Premier League title race if they fail to win this game, although he predicted a 2-2 draw owing to Arsenal’s recent poor run across all competitions.

“This is a massive football match especially because by the time it kicks off both Manchester City and Liverpool would have already played,” wrote Merson in his column for Sportskeeda.

“Liverpool could go ten points ahead and City could open up an eight-point lead if Arsenal lose to Chelsea.

“Arsenal got lucky last weekend after City also slipped up against Bournemouth. But they won’t expect any such favours this weekend. It’s a must-win game for Arsenal.

“If you are ten and eight points behind Liverpool and City after this gameweek, you’re done in the title race! I don’t care if there are 27 games still left in the season, Liverpool and City are not losing that many games.

“I’m going for a draw here, big result for Chelsea but Arsenal will be out of the title race.”

How did Arsenal fare against Chelsea last season?

The corresponding fixture finished 2-2 last season in what was a competitive game of football.

However, Arsenal won the reverse fixture 5-0 in April, as Kai Havertz and Ben White scored two goals apiece after Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock in the fourth minute.

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