Paul Merson gives “SHOCKING” prediction for Arsenal vs Chelsea clash
Former Arsenal defender Paul Merson has gone on to make predictions for this weekend’s round of matches as we approach mid-point of the season.
Chelsea will be away to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and this fixture couldn’t have come at a better time than now for the Blues, with the Gunners struggling to perform since the start of November.
Mikel Arteta’s side are currently languishing in 15th place and seem to be fighting a relegation fight so far.
Paul Merson has backed a Chelsea victory and has revealed that he’d be shocked if Arsenal do get a win in this game.
He told Sky Sports: “You’d be shocked if Arsenal won, and that’s where this has got to. That can’t be right.
“I can’t even make a case for Arsenal winning. I watched them against Southampton and I was thinking how many Arsenal players would get into the Saints team. “Burnley went to the Emirates and fancied it, Wolves went there and experimented! They played four at the back which they never did before.
“Of course, confidence isn’t great at Arsenal and that can play a major part. Man United look a different team with confidence, but Arteta needs to go back to what brought Arsenal success – the tactics against Man City in the FA Cup semi-final, the game against Chelsea in the final.
“They need to go back to that way of playing, but he’s in a position now as a young manager new in the game, he feels he needs to keep impressing.
“He has to go back to being hard to beat, using pace on the counter-attack. At the moment, it feels like Arteta is shying away from using what are seen as negative tactics and is focused more on trying to entertain – it’s no good.”