Ex-Gunners star Paul Merson believes Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea later today is a do-or-die encounter for his former side.

Unai Emery’s team head into this evening’s game six points behind the Blues and Merson thinks that if they lose, the Gunners have to put all of their efforts into winning the Europa League:

“Arsenal have to win this game otherwise it’s all in for the Europa League, which may actually help as they can then concentrate on that competition as they’ll be out of the top-four race.”

The TV pundit predicts that the home side will lose 2-1 to their London rivals at the Emirates tonight.

A nine-point gap to the top four would certainly be a mountain to climb and with Manchester United now back in the fight, the challenge to secure a Champions League place will be even greater.

Still, to put everything on triumphing in the Europa League would be a gamble, although having someone of Emery’s experience, who has won the competition three times, should certainly help.

Arsenal face BATE Borisov in the last 32 with the likes of Chelsea, Inter Milan, Napoli, Valencia and Emery’s former side Sevilla all still in the tournament.