Paul Merson sets December date by which we can confirm whether Arsenal will win Premier League or not

Paul Merson has set Arsenal a deadline. By December 13, he says, we will know whether the champions are going to retain the Premier League.

Writing about the Gunners in his column for Sky Sports, Merson highlighted the run that follows Sunday's trip to face Liverpool at Anfield. During this run, Arsenal face Newcastle, Manchester City, Tottenham and Real Madrid.

Merson commented: "What a November Arsenal have, by the way. They've got a hard month, including the start of December.

You'll know by December 13 if Arsenal will win the Premier League. Because there's a saying: after the hard games, come the easy games.

ThePremier League champions' schedule backs up Merson's point. The north London club have trips to Slavia Prague and Newcastle, home games against Hull City, Dortmund, Man City and Real Madrid, and visits to Brentford and Tottenham before the game against Bournemouth on December 13.

The Gunners are level on points with Manchester City and six clear of fourth-placed Liverpool at the moment. Notably, they have not won a league game at Anfield since 2012.

Arsenal have responded well since the loss to Brighton before the international break Arsenal responded to the Brighton defeat with three straight league wins. The Gunners beat Leeds United at home (2-1), Nottingham Forest away (1-0) and Everton at home (2-0).

This run has taken Mikel Arteta 's side to 21 points from eight matches, level with City at the top of the table. However, the Carabao Cup delivered a setback in midweek when they went out on penalties at Fleetwood Town.

The injury to Bukayo Saka during the 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich will be a big miss for Arteta and co., as per Merson. The footballer-turned-pundit pointed to how Saka is a player who makes the right decisions on the pitch and feels his absence could hurt the team."