Paul Merson believes Arsenal will have ‘one trophy in the bag’ following this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.

The Gunners, chasing a first league title in 22 years, will move 12 points clear at the top of the table if they beat Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season either side of the international break, first losing to title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and then crashing out of the FA Cup against Championship side Southampton.

Arsenal produced another somewhat underwhelming display against Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday night but ground out a 1-0 win thanks to Kai Havertz’s injury-time goal.

Merson believes his former club will return to top form by dispatching Bournemouth at the weekend and believes the Premier League title race will then be ‘over’ as he backed Chelsea to frustrate Man City.

Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing City outclassed Arsenal in a Wembley final last month before thrashing reigning Premier League champions Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup.

Those results have caused concern among Arsenal fans but Merson expects Manchester City’s ominous form to end at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

‘Arsenal ...