Paul Merson gives clear Arsenal title verdict versus Liverpool ahead of Eberechi Eze transfer

Paul Merson believes the pressure will be on Arsenal to become Premier League champions this season if they sign Eberechi Eze.

The Gunners have agreed a deal worth around £68million, with the expectation that a medical will happen on Friday. Arsenal are moving in the aftermath of an injury to Kai Havertz after signing Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres during this summer transfer window to overhaul their attack.

They also began their business by recruiting Martin Zubimendi to bolster the midfield. Merson now believes Arsenal are under pressure after addressing all their areas of need under sporting director Andrea Berta.

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"He's the X factor; I think he's the missing piece for Arsenal winning the Premier League," Merson said on Sky Sports News of Eze. "The pressure's on now if they don't win it."

"I think [Berta's] bought amazingly. They needed a holding midfield player; they bought a top-drawer one.

"They've needed a centre-forward; they bought a centre-forward. Now, they bought someone who can break defences; he could get in a lot of teams.

"I watched Arsenal a lot; when the pressure's on, they find it hard to break teams down. They rely on [Martin] Odegaard; if Odegaard doesn't do it, and he didn't do it last season, they struggle.

"[Bukayo] Saka got injured; he's the other one they rely on. All of a sudden, you've got him [Eze]; he is different class, he's different class."

Asked whether Eze was a more significant signing than Viktor Gyokeres, he replied: "I think so, because [Kai] Havertz can play up front. With Eze in the team, he makes things happen; he's the X factor.

"Give him the ball; he will make things happen and break defences down." Merson concluded, "I think he's an amazing signing for Arsenal; he's one of the players I would pay to watch play football."