Exclusive – Arsenal legend warns fans not to get too carried away with high-flying form

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has warned fans against falling into the ‘Groundhog Day’ trap of believing the Gunners will carry their impressive recent form into next season.

Arsene Wenger’s side are currently second in the Premier League following a string of dazzling displays, losing just once - a 2-1 north London derby defeat to Tottenham in February - in 12 top flight matches.

That run includes an eight-match winning streak, which Arsenal will hope to continue against league leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

The Blues are in a seemingly unreachable position a whole ten points clear at the summit, but the Gunners’ encouraging run of results has fans hoping they can finally mount a realistic title challenge next term.

But, having been disappointed before, former forward Merson is hesitant to get carried away by the side’s return to form.

“It’s a bit like Groundhog Day,” the former Highbury hero told Drivetime.

“They win the last ten games of the season and everyone thinks it’s all going to be great next season, but it just seems to be happening every year.

“I don’t want to sound like I’m having a dig at Arsenal, if not, but I’ve just seen this too many times.

“They still need two players and they’re needed two players for seven years on the trot and it still hasn’t happened.

“It just frustrates me, it really frustrates me that this happens all the time

“They’re in the top four again, but Arsenal are a big football club and fans, who pay massive prices to watch the team play, need more than the top four.”

However, Merson does believe that a victory over Chelsea in Sunday’s top of the table clash at the Emirates will be a big step forward for Arsenal’s title ambitions.

He added: "This is a massive, massive game for Arsenal.

“To win would give the team, and Arsene Wenger, that belief they can beat the league leaders, and they need to beat the teams around them if they’re ever going to win the Premier League again.”