Paul Merson says two Arsenal players have been ‘like latest signings’ for Mikel Arteta and has revealed his prediction for the Premier League clash against West Ham.
The Gunners travel to east London on Sunday hoping to maneuver a step closer to their first Premier League title since 2004.
An away game against relegation-battlers and London rivals West Ham is seen by many because the last obstacle to Arsenal seeing off title rivals Manchester City.
But Merson has backed Arsenal to clinch a ‘comfortable win’ on the London Stadium and send West Ham even closer to relegation.
Merson has been impressed by Arsenal’s recent form and says Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bukayo Saka have been ‘like latest signings’ for Gunners boss Arteta.
Lewis-Skelly has hardly played for his boyhood club this season but startedlast weekend’s Premier League win over Fulham and the next Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.
Saka scored in each of those games and has impressed since coming back from injury following a difficult spell for Arsenal throughout the middle of the season.
‘This game is certainly the last hope for Manchester City by way of Arsenal slipping up within the title race again,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.
‘After this, Arsenal have Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the ultimate day of the season. If Palace reach the Conference League final, they may definitely rest all their most important players against Arsenal.
‘West Ham will know it is a tough game. They’ve to return out and play since they’re trailing Spurs. I don’t think that may suit them against Arsenal.
‘Bukayo Saka looks fresh, Myles Lewis-Skelly has been incredible within the last couple of games.
‘The thing is, Lewis-Skelly hasn’t played 50 or 60 games like Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi. He provides fresh legs in midfield at a vital stage of the season.
‘Each Saka and Lewis-Skelly have been like latest signings for Arsenal on this final run-in for the title.
‘I consider Arsenal will get a snug win here, 2-0. If that’s the case it’s throughout for Man City!’
Ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton has also highlighted the importance of Saka’s return to Arsenal’s title charge.
‘Arsenal appear to be a completely different proposition on the attacking front now Bukayo Saka is back within the team,’ he told BBC Sport.
‘It’s going to be hard for West Ham to maintain them out, and it doesn’t help the Hammers that they desperately need a victory here after losing last weekend while all of the teams around them won.
‘A draw wouldn’t be a disaster for West Ham should you took this game in isolation but, depending on what Tottenham do against Leeds on Monday night, even in the event that they pick up some extent they may find yourself further adrift.
‘Arsenal have had big wins at London Stadium in each of the past two seasons. I don’t see them sticking 5 or 6 in again this time, but I also don’t see them slipping up.’
Saka and Declan Rice was on the right track as Arsenal beat West Ham 2-0 within the reverse fixture on the Emirates Stadium earlier within the season.
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