Paul Merson believes Arsenal will beat Sunderland to keep their slim top-four hopes alive at The Emirates on Tuesday night.
The Gunners heaped pressure on Liverpool on Saturday afternoon when Arsenal eased to a commanding 4-1 win against Stoke City to secure their first victory at the Britannia Stadium since 2010.
Liverpool, though, responded with an emphatic 4-0 victory over West Ham United to leave the Merseyside club four points clear of Arsenal having played one game more than their rivals.
Sanchez scored Arsenal’s third goal in Saturday afternoon’s 4-1 win against Stoke to take his tally to 21 goals in 36 games in the Premier League.
Speaking to Sky Sports about Arsenal’s home clash against relegated Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, Merson said:
“I watched Sunderland against Swansea on Saturday, and I must say it wasn’t very good. The last home game of the season and they didn’t perform at all.
“I’m going for a comfortable Arsenal win. They’re on good form, but whereas in the past it has counted for squeezing in the top four, it looks to be all for nothing at the moment.
“Alexis Sanchez is on fire, and he has a track record or tearing these sorts of teams apart. I can’t see anything but an easy Arsenal win.”
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Arsenal will take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday 27 May thanks to a 2-1 extra-time win against Manchester City.
The Gunners have never failed to finish in the Premier League’s top four under Arsene Wenger.