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 desperate to get Arsenal’s Premier League title charge back on track.
Arsenal were the clear favourites to win the league just a few weeks ago but a worrying wobble has left fans wondering if the Gunners will fall short for the fourth year in a row.
Arteta’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford last week and then threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with bottom-placed Wolves on Wednesday.
Arsenal’s wobble means they lead second-placed Manchester City by just five points, and will see that advantage cut even further to two if City beat Newcastle United on Saturday.
Tottenham have endured another dismal Premier League campaign and sacked Thomas Frank before their last defeat to Newcastle which left them 16th in the table, just five points about the relegation zone.
Spurs appointed Igor Tudor as caretaker manager until the end of the season and would love nothing more to not only downplay their relegation fears but dent Arsenal’s title hopes.
Merson does not expect that to happen but is losing confidence in Arsenal at a rapid pace after they produced ‘one of their worst ever games’ against Wolves.
The Gunners legend was surprised Eberechi Eze was benched at Molineux and wants Arteta’s £67.5m summer signing to come back into the team at Tottenham in replace of ‘hot and cold’ Noni Madueke.
‘I’m sitting here and I don’t know what happens in this game,’ Merson admitted in his weekly predictions for Sportskeeda. ‘I thought I’d never say that, but it is what it is.
‘It was one of Arsenal’s worst ever games against Wolves. There were no patterns of play and they never looked like their usual self.
‘Tottenham have a new manager and it’s basically a free swing for them in the derby now. If Tottenham lose, no one cares. The pressure is on Arsenal and if Newcastle lose to City, it just adds to it.
‘I find it strange that Eberechi Eze did not start as the no.10 against Wolves. He was brought in to do that. Then why did he not start the game?
‘Mikel Arteta used Bukayo Saka as a No.10 instead. He’s not suited to play there because he’s a proper winger.
‘Noni Madueke also started against Wolves and he’s very hot and cold. He will do something amazing and the next thing he does would make you go, “why did he do that?”
‘Madueke is very direct but he has to mix it up. You can’t be direct all the time. He has still done better than what I expected this season though.
‘I won’t be surprised if Saka goes to the wing and Eze comes on for Madueke in this game. For me, Eze has to play as the No.10 against Spurs. He’s good in tight spaces and is better than Saka in that role.
‘I’m expecting Arsenal to win and will go 1-0 but I won’t be shocked if they failed to either. It just seems like they can’t open teams up anymore.’
Discussing the Premier League title race more generally, Merson added: ‘It’s in Manchester City’s hands now. If they win every game from now, they win the league title.
‘Three weeks ago, you could have never thought it would be this way. It’s quite unbelievable how Arsenal have slipped up.
‘If Arsenal beat Tottenham and Newcastle win at the Etihad, it will change. But I can’t see that happening.
‘The way everything is playing out in front of us, it’s not looking good for Arsenal. Imagine leading 2-0 and then conceding a draw against Wolves, that is worrying.
‘Arsenal did not deserve to win that game if I’m being honest. The only consolation for Arsenal is the fact that Newcastle basically settled the tie against Qarabag with an emphatic win.
‘It means that Eddie Howe can play his strongest team against Manchester City this weekend. Even then, I don’t think Newcastle have a chance though.’
Arsenal are desperately trying 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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