Arsenal are set to face Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial North London derby on Sunday which could have major implications for the Premier League title race.
The Gunners are currently top of the league, but are just one point ahead of Manchester City, who have played one game less than them.
Mikel Arteta’s side will need to be perfect in their final four games of the season, whilst also hoping Man City slip up somewhere, meaning that nothing less than a win in the derby will be good enough for their title hopes.
Arsenal icon Paul Merson is no stranger to the derby, and he has now given his prediction for what the score will be in what is one of the biggest clashes between the two sides in history.
Paul Merson backs Arsenal to win North London derby vs Tottenham Hotspur
Writing for Sportskeeda, Merson claimed that Arsenal will win the derby by a scoreline of 3-1, to continue their title charge in style.
“Tottenham have been superb at home this season but if you look at their last ten results – they’ve faced nine bottom half teams! Manchester City were the only top-half team they faced in that period and they lost that game, so I can’t see them getting anything out of this one,” he stated.
“Arsenal are just a better football team, so I’m very bullish on this one. I’ll be shocked if the Gunners don’t win this one as Spurs can’t beat Arsenal at their own game.
“When Arsenal lost to Aston Villa, they changed their team around by moving Kai Havertz into a midfield role to accommodate Gabriel Jesus, a move which ultimately backfired.
“In recent weeks, they’ve gone back to Havertz up front with Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield – that is the team they must retain for the rest of the season!”
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Arsenal must stick to principles against Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Chelsea in midweek was thoroughly impressive, and with a near-fully fit squad, Arteta appears to have found his winning formula after a lot of tinkering throughout the season.
A midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, with Kai Havertz leading the line, worked to perfection against Chelsea, and sticking with this, whilst also not deviating from Arteta’s usual principles, could give them a good chance of victory.
Ange Postecoglou’s side are also unlikely to change their tactics, and will likely press high and seek to attack. This could allow Arsenal a lot of space in behind to hit them on the counter, and they now have the tools to win the midfield battle and therefore the game.
