'I don't see anyone stopping Arsenal' - Merson confident as Gunners go seven points clear

Arsenal are unlikely to be stopped in their quest for a shock Premier League title, according to their former midfielder Paul Merson.

The Gunners took an impressive seven-point lead at the top of the table with a 4-2 victory at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Draws for Manchester City and Newcastle United earlier on New Year's Eve gave the Gunners a chance to extend their lead at the top.

And they caught it with both hands at Amex Stadium, Bukayo Saka putting them on the right track with a goal after just 66 seconds.

Inspirational captain Martin Odegaard doubled Arsenal's lead and Eddie Nketiah added a third goal, with Gabriel Martinelli coming in either side of strikes from Brighton duo Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson.

Arsenal are sitting well after five straight wins in the top flight and will face third-placed Newcastle at home on Tuesday in a crucial game.

Merson believes the title battle is already a two-way race between Arsenal and City, with his backing for the Gunners despite Pep Guardiola's champions remaining bookies favourites.

"I think they will beat Newcastle," Merson told Sky Sports. "They have just won two games, scored seven goals, confidence is high.

"They have won every home game this season in the league - it's hard work.

"Arsenal are good to watch, that's no coincidence. You have to watch Man City, they lost at home to Brentford and drew at home to Everton who are on a bad run.

"It's two games City should win. That's five points down. I don't see anyone stopping Arsenal at the moment."

Winnings over West Ham and Brighton since the World Cup break have delighted Merson, as Arsenal bid for a first league title since their 'Invincibles' side found success in 2004.< /p>

He added: "When we stopped for the World Cup, you thought it could only hurt Arsenal. They were flying. They came back and scored seven goals in two games.

"They have a platform, it's in their hands. I know there's a long way to go, but there are great teams in this league that can't win - Chelsea, Liverpool , Tottenham, probably Man United.

"It's out of Arsenal and Man City unless the other teams go on the most extraordinary run you've ever seen in Premier League history.

"Who goes to Brighton and scores four goals? Arsenal are playing great football and at the moment they are the best team in the country and the number one team.

"They've given themselves a little gap where they can afford to lose a few games. Man City won't win every game, so Arsenal are right, I can't comment on that enough.

"It's no coincidence that they are where they are because they are a very good football team.

"They went to Old Trafford and got beat up, and I didn't think they deserved it. There are ways to lose games and they bounced back.

"The other night they went down 1-0 at West Ham and they came back and took them away."