‘Naive at the back’ – Paul Merson makes surprise Spurs vs Arsenal prediction
Paul Merson believes that Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will play out a score draw on Sunday, but he admits that he does fear for his former side, given the players they will be missing.
Tottenham vs Arsenal injury news
There has been some positive news on the injury front for Tottenham, with Ange Postecoglou revealing that both Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke have trained with the team while admitting Yves Bissouma could also be involved in the game (Football.London).
However, the visitors will be without some key players, most notably Declan Rice, who is suspended, and Martin Odegaard, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Merson suggested that those injuries have severely weakened the Gunners side and Tottenham will also be formidable opponents for Mikel Arteta’s team, going by the level of performances that the Lilywhites have delivered so far this season.
The pundit also suggested that pressure will be on Arsenal, given that they travel to the Etihad Stadium after his fixture.
Paul Merson predicts North London Derby score
The 56-year-old told Sportskeeda about the derby: “I worry for Arsenal in the north London derby. No Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard is a huge concern. I’ll have to go with a draw here, but that’s more in hope if I’m being honest. Tottenham have been unlucky, they could’ve been top of the league if they weren’t naive at the back.
“Arsenal have to get either two or four points from the next two fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester City. If Arsenal beat Spurs and lose to City, it’s no good because City will then move further ahead. If they don’t get a result against Spurs, they’re not going to win at City either.
“This is a massive match for Arsenal. If City win this weekend and Arsenal draw, that’s a four-point lead for the reigning champions. And then if City beat Arsenal, it becomes a seven-point lead. Now that would be a big problem for Arsenal.”
Prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal
Spurs Web Opinion
Despite the personnel that Arsenal are missing, they will be resolute defensively and quite hard to break down. Tottenham cannot afford to be as wasteful as they have been in front of goal in recent matches if they are to have any chance of coming away with all three points on Sunday.
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