Paul Merson has revealed his tentative prediction for this weekend’s huge north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham.
Mikel Arteta takes his team to Spurs on Sunday afternoon eager to get Arsenal’s Premier League title charge back heading in the right direction.
Arsenal were the clear favourites to win the league just just a few weeks ago but a worrying wobble has left fans wondering if the Gunners will fall short for the fourth yr in a row.
Arteta’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford last week after which threw away a two-goal lead to attract 2-2 with bottom-placed Wolves on Wednesday.
Arsenal’s wobble means they lead second-placed Manchester City by just five points, and can see that advantage cut even further to 2 if City beat Newcastle United on Saturday.
Tottenham have endured one other dismal Premier League campaign and sacked Thomas Frank before their last defeat to Newcastle which left them sixteenth within the table, just five points concerning the relegation zone.
Spurs appointed Igor Tudor as caretaker manager until the tip of the season and would love nothing more to not only downplay their relegation fears but dent Arsenal’s title hopes.
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Merson doesn’t expect that to occur but is losing confidence in Arsenal at a rapid pace after they produced ‘one in all their worst ever games’ against Wolves.
The Gunners legend was surprised Eberechi Eze was benched at Molineux and needs Arteta’s £67.5m summer signing to come back back into the team at Tottenham in replace of ‘cold and hot’ Noni Madueke.
‘I’m sitting here and I don’t know what happens on this game,’ Merson admitted in his weekly predictions for Sportskeeda. ‘I believed I’d never say that, but it surely is what it’s.
‘It was one in all Arsenal’s worst ever games against Wolves. There have been no patterns of play they usually never looked like their usual self.
‘Tottenham have a brand new manager and it’s principally a free swing for them within the derby now. If Tottenham lose, nobody cares. The pressure is on Arsenal and if Newcastle lose to City, it just adds to it.
‘I find it strange that Eberechi Eze didn’t start because the no.10 against Wolves. He was brought in to try this. Then why did he not start the sport?
‘Mikel Arteta used Bukayo Saka as a No.10 as an alternative. He’s not suited to play there because he’s a correct winger.
‘Noni Madueke also began against Wolves and he’s highly regarded and cold. He’ll do something amazing and the subsequent thing he does would make you go, “why did he do this?”
‘Madueke could be very direct but he has to combine it up. You may’t be direct on a regular basis. He has still done higher than what I expected this season though.
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‘I won’t be surprised if Saka goes to the wing and Eze comes on for Madueke on this game. For me, Eze has to play because the No.10 against Spurs. He’s good in tight spaces and is best than Saka in that role.
‘I’m expecting Arsenal to win and can go 1-0 but I won’t be shocked in the event that they didn’t either. It just looks as if they will’t open teams up anymore.’
Discussing the Premier League title race more generally, Merson added: ‘It’s in Manchester City’s hands now. In the event that they win every game from now, they win the league title.
‘Three weeks ago, you could possibly have never thought it could be this fashion. It’s quite unbelievable how Arsenal have slipped up.
‘If Arsenal beat Tottenham and Newcastle win on the Etihad, it would change. But I can’t see that occuring.
‘The way in which every little thing is playing out in front of us, it’s not looking good for Arsenal. Imagine leading 2-0 after which conceding a draw against Wolves, that’s worrying.
‘Arsenal didn’t need to win that game if I’m being honest. The one consolation for Arsenal is the proven fact that Newcastle principally settled the tie against Qarabag with an emphatic win.
‘It implies that Eddie Howe can play his strongest team against Manchester City this weekend. Even then, I don’t think Newcastle have a likelihood though.’
Arsenal are desperately attempting to win their first Premier League title since 2004 following three successive second-place finishes.
Their title rivals Manchester City have won six of the last eight league titles under legendary manager Pep Guardiola but only finished third last season.
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