{"id":31661,"date":"2026-04-26T08:24:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T08:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T08:24:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T08:24:30","slug":"paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal&#8217;s return to first place in the Premier League"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_4f8be1\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arsenal took advantage of Manchester City&#8217;s presence in the FA Cup, defeating Newcastle 1-0 and moving three points clear in the race for the Premier League title.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37070508\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Paul Merson \" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070508.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070508.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070508.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070508.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Paul Merson is still confident about Arsenal\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Paul Merson remains confident in Arsenal (Image: Sky Sports)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal will win their first Premier League title in 22 years if they beat Fulham next weekend, according to Paul Merson. The Gunners regained their composure after a poor spell and reclaimed top spot with a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Eberechi Eze&#8217;s stunning curler from the edge of the box was enough to earn them all three points on a tense night in north London. The home side needed a good performance from goalkeeper David Raya and a big mistake from Newcastle striker Yoan Ouissa to get it over the line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While Manchester City were busy defeating Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals, Arsenal had the chance to regain top spot in the Premier League. City&#8217;s three successive wins, including a decisive win over Arsenal last weekend, have seen Josep Guardiola&#8217;s side level on points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, Arsenal can extend their lead to six points by defeating Fulham next Saturday, and City will not return to league action until Monday, May 4, when they play away to Everton. Former Arsenal star Merson says this points cushion could be important in the fixture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Follow the Arsenal FB page! For the latest Gunners news and details, visit our dedicated Facebook page.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">read more: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gives update on injuries to Kai Havertz and Ebelesi Eze<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">read more: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal take back the lead, but Newcastle&#8217;s victory loses its luster due to two injuries &#8211; 5 talking points<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;If Arsenal beat Fulham at home next week, Arsenal will win the league,&#8221; Melson confidently said on Sky Sports. &#8220;I think so (I think so). I&#8217;ve been saying all season that they&#8217;ll win. It&#8217;s getting close, but if they can get six points behind, I think&#8230; Everton away, six points behind, will be a difficult game (for Man City).&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Jamie Redknapp added: &#8220;I think it&#8217;s 50-50. I believe it wholeheartedly. Anything can happen. We could end up in a goal difference situation. The pressure is palpable. I watched Man City v Burnley on Tuesday night and there was a bit of pressure on their performance. Anything can still happen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Statistician Opta has Arsenal as heavy favorites with a 72 per cent chance of winning the title for the first time since the 2003\/04 season, in part due to the difficulty of the games. Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side will face Fulham, West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace, while City will face European-chasing Everton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Palace and Aston Villa.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37070536\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37070536\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.41\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arsenal's Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070536.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2273101264.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070536.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2273101264.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070536.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2273101264.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070536.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2273101264.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Eberechi Eze scored the all-important goal for Arsenal\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Ebelesi Eze scored a vital goal for Arsenal (Image: David Price\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Let us know what you think. Who will win the Premier League title? Comment below.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;There was a massive reset and I felt a change in energy in the dressing room,&#8221; Arteta told Match of the Day. &#8220;We enjoyed what we had to do and now we can play against Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League, which is great.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice added: &#8220;I think we said after last week that if we want to win the Premier League we have to win five games. We&#8217;ve lost one now and there are four to go. It was important that we won however we wanted to win.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Asked how he deals with the pressure, Rice said, &#8220;Block it out. There&#8217;s a reason we got here. There&#8217;s always going to be noise, from home fans, away fans, people outside. It&#8217;s just about blocking it out and believing in what we can do, which is just win football games. We&#8217;ll keep doing that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+ and Ultimate TV packages<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links and we receive a commission from any sales we generate from them. learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"content image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundles to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, plus 135 channels and complete coverage of the Premier League and EFL from Sky.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has over 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more, with at least 215 of them live from the top flight, along with F1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/arsenal-title-prediction-paul-merson-37070501\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal took advantage of Manchester City&#8217;s presence in the FA Cup, defeating Newcastle 1-0 and moving three points clear in the race for the Premier League title. Paul Merson remains confident in Arsenal (Image: Sky Sports) Arsenal will win their first Premier League title in 22 years if they beat Fulham next weekend, according to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-31661","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal&#039;s return to first place in the Premier League - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal&#039;s return to first place in the Premier League - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Arsenal took advantage of Manchester City&#8217;s presence in the FA Cup, defeating Newcastle 1-0 and moving three points clear in the race for the Premier League title. Paul Merson remains confident in Arsenal (Image: Sky Sports) Arsenal will win their first Premier League title in 22 years if they beat Fulham next weekend, according to\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-26T08:24:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070508.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin_ok9yktt6\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin_ok9yktt6\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/\",\"name\":\"Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal's return to first place in the Premier League - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-26T08:24:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#\/schema\/person\/6b2ade58a96ab056f743f12490573ae9\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":675},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal&#8217;s return to first place in the Premier League\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/\",\"name\":\"EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates\",\"description\":\"EPL VIP is your ultimate source for all things related to the English Premier League. Get the latest EPL news, live match updates, transfer rumors, team analysis, fixtures, and exclusive insights for true football fans.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#\/schema\/person\/6b2ade58a96ab056f743f12490573ae9\",\"name\":\"admin_ok9yktt6\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3caa6e0fae133a2d8ebe213abde6eafe85769664d063c8ab6c7960c877d904ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3caa6e0fae133a2d8ebe213abde6eafe85769664d063c8ab6c7960c877d904ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"admin_ok9yktt6\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/author\/admin_ok9yktt6\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal's return to first place in the Premier League - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal's return to first place in the Premier League - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates","og_description":"Arsenal took advantage of Manchester City&#8217;s presence in the FA Cup, defeating Newcastle 1-0 and moving three points clear in the race for the Premier League title. Paul Merson remains confident in Arsenal (Image: Sky Sports) Arsenal will win their first Premier League title in 22 years if they beat Fulham next weekend, according to","og_url":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/","og_site_name":"EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates","article_published_time":"2026-04-26T08:24:30+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37070508.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"admin_ok9yktt6","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin_ok9yktt6","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/","url":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/","name":"Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal's return to first place in the Premier League - EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg","datePublished":"2026-04-26T08:24:30+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#\/schema\/person\/6b2ade58a96ab056f743f12490573ae9"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_paul-merson-sky-2JPG.jpg","width":1200,"height":675},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/paul-merson-makes-bold-predictions-about-arsenals-return-to-first-place-in-the-premier-league\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Paul Merson makes bold predictions about Arsenal&#8217;s return to first place in the Premier League"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/","name":"EPL VIP \u2013 Latest English Premier League News &amp; Updates","description":"EPL VIP is your ultimate source for all things related to the English Premier League. Get the latest EPL news, live match updates, transfer rumors, team analysis, fixtures, and exclusive insights for true football fans.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#\/schema\/person\/6b2ade58a96ab056f743f12490573ae9","name":"admin_ok9yktt6","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3caa6e0fae133a2d8ebe213abde6eafe85769664d063c8ab6c7960c877d904ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3caa6e0fae133a2d8ebe213abde6eafe85769664d063c8ab6c7960c877d904ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"admin_ok9yktt6"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/eplvip.com"],"url":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/author\/admin_ok9yktt6\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31661"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31661\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}