The Gunners though suffered a damaging blow in their attempts to chase down Liverpool on Saturday (22 February), when they hosted West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.

Jarrod Bowen’s goal just before half-time put the Hammers 1-0 up in that match, with Mikel Arteta’s side performing poorly.

That allowed West Ham fans to tease Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as he was substituted against his former club, to be replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly.

However, it was a brief appearance for the left-back, with Lewis-Skelly being sent off for Arsenal just 17 minutes later.

With that clearing the way for West Ham to cruise to that victory, that result leaves the Gunners eight points behind Liverpool with 12 games of the season still to be played.

As a result, Merson has suggested that Slot and his team can now start to think about their title celebrations.

Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday as Lewis-Skelly’s red card was confirmed after a VAR check, the former Arsenal striker said: “Red card. Red card Skelly, Liverpool league champions.

“I’d book it now [the open-top bus]. I’d book it now, you’ll get it cheaper. If you wait till May and you book it then then you’re paying double-bubble.

“The company know that you need it so they’re gonna charge you more. So if you get it now you’ll get it cheap. I’m just letting you know.”

There is no denying that an eight point lead with 12 games of the season still to go is a big advantage for Liverpool.

However, that does mean that there are still 36 points left to play for and so this is far from a decisive margin that they will hold.

As a result, Slot will be determined not to let any sort of complacency take hold of his side, given he is going to be desperate not to let such a good opportunity slip away.

Even so, the fact they now have this advantage as the games start to run out may help ease some nerves for Liverpool as they head to Man City.

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