Arsenal icon Paul Merson has confidently forecasted that the Gunners will triumph in their much-anticipated London derby showdown with Chelsea. Considering Arsenal’s recent success against their city rivals, Merson is convinced they will once again find a way to outplay the Blues.
Reflecting on their last encounter at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea secured a draw when Pedro Neto’s equalizer nullified Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal. Yet, it’s hard to overlook Arsenal’s commanding 5-0 victory over Chelsea during last season’s equivalent fixture.
However, Arsenal’s boss, Mikel Arteta, anticipates a far closer match this time around. Recognizing Chelsea’s progress under head coach Enzo Maresca, Arteta emphasized the importance for Arsenal to dominate ball possession and steer Chelsea away from using their strengths.
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Arteta acknowledged Chelsea’s forceful pressing and individual brilliance but insisted that Arsenal must assert their own brand of football to take command of the game. He believes that his team needs to perform at their peak to ensure they walk away with all three points.
In the meantime, Paul Merson didn’t hold back with his criticism of Arteta’s choice to leave Raheem Sterling out of the lineup during Arsenal’s face-off with Manchester United. He believes that Sterling’s absence may have cost Arsenal a crucial win in that pivotal match.
With Arsenal sitting 15 points behind Liverpool and leading Manchester City by just eight, Merson cautioned that a defeat to Chelsea could plunge the Gunners back into the tense race for a spot in the top four.
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Merson further noted Chelsea’s challenges upfront without Nicolas Jackson. He argues that while Christopher Nkunku has the chops for a No.10 position, he isn’t the suitable replacement for a traditional striker’s role.
Despite Chelsea showing signs of improvement recently, Merson remains steadfast in his belief that Arsenal’s superior quality will shine through. He predicts a 2-0 win for the Gunners to bolster their standing in the league.
