Sky Sports’ Paul Merson pens newest column on Liverpool returning to sq. one after their shock defeat at Bournemouth, Chelsea’s excellent week and the title race as Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard shone in Arsenal’s win at Fulham whereas Man City edged previous Crystal Palace

Managers need to preserve level-headed and so do gamers. Liverpool had an awesome consequence towards Manchester United that may put them within the historical past books however then you have to flip up and carry out at Bournemouth.

When you watch the Bournemouth recreation you assume, ‘What likelihood have Liverpool bought at Real Madrid?’ Needing to attain three, at the least, is an enormous ask, it will be one of many biggest Champions League comebacks of all time. Barcelona did it towards PSG however that was at residence. This is away on the cup holders. If it was two objectives then you definitely by no means know, however three…I give them no likelihood.

This is why wherever you go on this planet, the Premier League is being proven as a result of one of many backside three groups can beat one of many high groups. You by no means get it the place Bournemouth relaxation everyone for subsequent week’s recreation as a result of they do not assume they’re going to beat Liverpool. That would not occur within the Premier League and that is why it is the most effective league on this planet.

Tottenham have received 5 of their final seven within the Premier League. They had a stunning end in midweek towards AC Milan however that is soccer. They’ve bounced again to beat a poor Nottingham Forest away facet who’re chalk and cheese residence and away. The high 4 is of their fingers and in the event that they win their subsequent two video games towards Southampton and Everton they’re going to be laborious to chase down.

Chelsea are a harmful animal

Chelsea are a harmful animal, they have some unbelievable gamers and so they simply have to click on – at occasions towards Leicester they did.

Bad groups do not rating the objectives like they did, two of them have been unbelievable. Kai Havertz’s flick has to go down as one of many objectives of the season, you are not seeing that on a Sunday morning.

It was an impressive week for Chelsea, with wins over Leeds, Dortmund and Leicester, and now with Everton at residence subsequent they’ll get on a roll. Football is a humorous recreation the way it can change so rapidly, you’ve got solely bought to take a look at Liverpool dropping at Bournemouth.

Graham Potter has switched to a few on the again and it is working. It’s taken some time for him to get it proper nevertheless it’s 100 per cent higher than with 4 in defence.

And he nonetheless hasn’t bought Reece James. Ruben Loftus-Cheek crammed in for him on Saturday and performed properly however when James comes again you’ve got bought top-of-the-line of the enterprise together with Ben Chilwell on the left. You’ve bought to get your wing-backs excessive up the pitch and James and Chilwell are superb attacking gamers.

Mateo Kovacic has come again not too long ago, I’m a large fan of him, and taking part in alongside Enzo Fernandez in midfield. Then Potter can choose any three from seven choices up entrance that may trigger havoc to anyone. Don’t overlook, Thiago Silva is not taking part in both. James and Silva are Chelsea’s two greatest gamers.

Marc Cucurella has carried out rather well not too long ago. Sometimes he can dive in, for those who’re doing that in his place on the left of the three then there is a security internet behind you for those who do not win the ball. For all three of the central defenders, there is a security internet for them from one another.

If the Champions League quarter-final draw goes their method, bar Man City and Bayern Munich, I do not assume too many groups will need to play Chelsea. If they do not meet these two then I believe they’re going to get by to the semi-finals.

Trossard an ‘unbelievable’ signing for simply £27m

Arsenal’s efficiency within the first half at Fulham was mind-blowing. It was like watching Man City of their pomp and this was towards a very good Fulham workforce. It was scary. It was bordering on ridiculous.

It felt like they’d at the least two extra gamers on the pitch however the factor that may win Arsenal the league is beginning matches properly. I watched them at Leicester once they have been underneath stress for a consequence and so they began properly and have been nice.

Then they have been at residence towards Bournemouth and begin poorly. Against Fulham they begin properly and it is a stroll within the park. I do not see how they are going to be stopped if they begin properly in matches.

Gabriel Jesus coming again is a little bit of an issue for Arsenal as a result of the lad will need to play – he did not signal to be a bit-part participant like he was at Man City. It will trigger issues in time however in the mean time it is like one other signing.

Leandro Trossard may play for Man City. It’s an unbelievable signing for £27m. When his agent stated to him he was going to Arsenal for that price he will need to have thought, ‘Is that each one I’m value?!’

The lad may go within the Man City workforce on Tuesday and also you would not know any totally different, he is that good. But Arsenal play like Man City, for those who put them in a light-weight blue package you’ll assume they’re. You do not get greater compliments than that.

Odegaard having greater impression than De Bruyne

As we speak right this moment, Martin Odegaard is the most effective midfielder within the Premier League. He has extra impact on the Arsenal workforce than Kevin de Bruyne has on Man City. We have to speak in moments and, within the current, Odegaard is primary certainly. I’m not saying he is a greater participant than De Bruyne, however proper now Odegaard’s having extra of an impression.

Palace away is a troublesome recreation however Leipzig away is a much bigger match for Man City. If Man City win the league and never the Champions League then it isn’t been an awesome season. They purchased Erling Haaland in to win the Champions League, not the Premier League for the fifth time in six years. And De Bruyne will play towards Leipzig.

The title race will come all the way down to the fixtures. Whoever performs first on a weekend can have a large benefit. If Arsenal had performed first towards Fulham and beat them like they did, they might have been eight factors away from Man City, who needed to go to Crystal Palace.

City play first, they win after which Arsenal are solely two factors clear, and their recreation turns into tougher at Fulham.

If Arsenal play first and so they preserve going eight factors clear with City needing to win to make it 5, earlier than you understand it, it is going to take its toll. It occurred with Tottenham and Leicester in 2016.

If Arsenal win their subsequent two video games towards Palace and Leeds, I do not see how they are often stopped. They’ll be 5 factors clear at the least with eight video games to go. They’ve bought to play Man City however they’re going to need to win that recreation.