'Game over' - Paul Merson and Chris Sutton agree on Arsenal vs Everton prediction

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are in agreement that Arsenal will comfortably beat Everton this afternoon and close the gap at the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners welcome Sean Dyche and his players to the Emirates Stadium looking to keep the pressure on Liverpool at the top of the table. Mikel Arteta's men are currently six points behind the league leaders after drawing with Fulham last week.

However, the fixture list has presented them with an opportunity to add three points to their tally with the visit of Everton. The Toffees are currently 15th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta is backing Arsenal pre-match change to North London Forever and player name calls

READ MORE: Arsenal guaranteed to be without four players vs Everton as Gabriel decision 'confirmed'

It's expected to be a comfortable afternoon for Arteta's men, who could move three points behind Liverpool if Arne Slot's side lose to Fulham. Merson and Sutton have both backed the Gunners to beat Everton without any serious hurdles.

"Everton had an unbelievable result in their last game against Wolves, but I'd be shocked if they got anything from this game," Merson told Sportskeeda. "When I look back to that Everton loss against Manchester United before the win over Wolves, I worry for them. If they defend like that against Arsenal's, it's game over.

"If you're Everton, you'd be thinking of getting this fixture out of the way quickly and focusing on the next one." He added: "Arsenal had a really bad result against Fulham in their last league game. That draw has now left them six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Chelsea are also two points ahead of the Gunners now.

"I expect Arsenal to win this quite comfortably." The former Gunners star predicted a 3-1 win for Arteta’s men.

Sutton was in full agreement with Merson, writing in his BBC Sport predictions: "Arsenal dominated Fulham in their draw last weekend, but did not create much from open play.. Fulham are a well-organised team, but I was still a little disappointed in Mikel Arteta's side.

"Martin Odegaard was not as influential as usual, and it showed, but the Gunners were still a threat from set-pieces, which is how they got their goal. People joke about how Arsenal are like Tony Pulis' old Stoke City side in that respect, but I see their ability to score from corners as being a feather in their cap rather than something to sneer at.

"The Gunners are definitely more pragmatic this season but fair play to them for being so effective at set-pieces - a few other teams must wish they carried the same level of threat in those situations - and I don't see them slipping up against Everton.

"Sean Dyche's side will sit in and they don't mind a set-piece either, so this could be a battle of who is better at corners, but I'd back Arsenal to come out on top." The former striker predicted a 2-0 win."