Arsenal open the door to Premier League rivals and Paul Merson believes TV schedules could play a big role in this season’s trophy fate
Sky Sports has a big say in kick-off time, which could impact the title race
Paul Merson insists Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes may depend on the TV schedule decided by Sky Sports and TNT Sports, but the order of fixtures is adding pressure.
The Gunners currently sit at the top of the table, but dropped points again on Wednesday night after conceding a two-goal lead to bottom-placed Wolves, before a 94th-minute equalizer deprived them of two points from the North Londoners.
This means Manchester City now have a game in hand and can move within two points of their rivals, who they have overtaken many times in the past. Arsenal need to prove they can get over the line under increased pressure, but TV decisions could be a factor.
City and Arsenal are unlikely to be given regular 3pm kick-offs given the demand for watching games on TV, meaning they will be played in midday or evening slots on Saturday, Sunday or Monday nights.
Merson believes whoever is able to play first has a good chance of winning the title, with history suggesting those following in the footsteps of their rivals will have a harder time.
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He said: “The title depends on who plays first and Sky has a big role in that. Tiger Woods always wanted to take the first tee shot to put pressure on. We saw years ago when Spurs always had to deal with Leicester, and that ends up costing them dearly.”
The next set of Premier League fixtures for television broadcast will be announced on March 4, and will cover matches 32 to 34. This weekend City play Newcastle on Saturday, while Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday. The following week, City face Arsenal again. Neither team would kickoff at that point until Game 29.
Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead against doomed Wolves
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Mikel Arteta’s side go into the derby having won just two of their last seven Premier League games, but this helped them close the gap on Josep Guardiola’s side.
Merson believes the pressure is on a Gunners team that has little experience of winning trophies amid constant criticism of their inability to get over the line.
“It’s disappointing. You can’t play in second gear. There was a sense of urgency when Wolves went 2-2. We never had that before. We can’t play like that. Every game is a cup final until the end,” he said. “We’re going full steam ahead now, with bottle jobs and melting. We drew with Brentford and got a two-goal lead against the worst team in the league, so we’re going full steam ahead now.”
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