Arsenal vs Tottenham: Spurs are ‘unravelling’ and will be ‘comfortably’ beaten in north London derby says Paul Merson
Paul Merson is convinced Arsenal will ‘comfortably’ beat Tottenham in this weekend’s north London derby.
The Gunners legend also believes Spurs are out of the race to win the Premier League title despite the season being only three games in.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to struggling Newcastle on Sunday.
Arsenal caller says he wants Unai Emery out
The Argentine admitted in his post-match press conference that his squad is unsettled with the European transfer window still open until September 2.
The futures of Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen, who both started on the bench against Newcastle, remain uncertain.
Former Arsenal midfielder Merson told Sky Sports: “They are out of the title race already, five points behind Liverpool with three games played.
“That may sound harsh, but would you back Spurs to win the league over Liverpool if Liverpool had a five-point head start?
“Something isn’t right at Spurs but what is clear is that Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t got his team right yet.
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“Christian Eriksen is their most creative player but he’s been on the bench. I mean, who else have Spurs got that can put the ball through the eye of a needle?
“I rate Tottenham highly as a team – they were Champions League finalists less than three months ago after all – but they have shocked me.
“They have been my biggest disappointment this season so far, and I’m not just saying that because I used to play for Arsenal.
“Pochettino’s comments that he has never seen so much unrest at a football club the other day were concerning and eye-opening.
“He doesn’t normally speak so strongly, he always looks after the club’s interests and gets on with the job at hand. But his comment suggests things are unravelling at the moment.”
Tottenham next face an Arsenal side who have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign.
Unai Emery’s men have beaten Newcastle and Burnley, but fell to a first defeat of the season at Liverpool on Saturday.
But it could have been different for Arsenal if £72million club-record signing Nicolas Pepe had converted a golden chance to give Arsenal the lead at 0-0.
Merson said: “When you go to Liverpool and Manchester City these days, you have to take your chances, Arsenal didn’t.
“And when a talent like Mohamed Salah scores such a special goal, there is nothing you can do but hold your hands up.
“But it wasn’t all bad for Unai Emery’s side.
“A couple of weeks ago I’d have looked at Sunday’s north London derby and said Arsenal would be happy with a draw, but after their positive start to the season, I expect them to win comfortably now.”