According to Paul Merson, Arsenal will “absolutely slaughter” Tottenham in Sunday’s north London derby.
The unbeaten Gunners visit the unbeaten Spurs to the Emirates Stadium in search of their third consecutive derby victory.
But Spurs under Ange Postecoglou are a far more threatening prospect than the team coached by Antonio Conte last season, scoring more goals, attempting more shots and with a higher xG than tomorrow’s opponents.
But Merson believes Postecoglou’s “gung-ho” approach will play into Arsenal’s hands and Spurs will be “ripped to shreds”.
“I’m very bullish,” he stated on Sky Sports. “I can only see Arsenal winning.” I believe they will totally slaughter them. Totally rip them to shreds.
“I agree with Daws [Michael Dawson], I don’t think they’ll modify their game… Man United had 14 shots in the first half against them; give Arsenal 14 shots tomorrow and see what happens.
“It’s end-to-end football, I like the way they play, and I like the manager.” It’s full-throttle football. But you don’t play reckless football against better players.
“Arsenal have got better players than Tottenham, no question, all over then pitch. You talk about [James] Maddison, good player but you would not take him over [Martin] Odegaard any day of the week. [Yves] Bissouma has done well, but you wouldn’t take him over [Declan] Rice, in my opinion.
“All over the pitch they are better players. Not many Spurs players get into this team, and if you open this game up tomorrow then Arsenal will destroy Tottenham. And I mean destroy them.
“If [Spurs] play a counter-attacking way, then it’s a different football match but I don’t think the manager has it in him to say ‘let’s counter attack’. He is full of pride.
“There is no point doing what you have done over the years, get a top job – which it is a Spurs – and get to the biggest game and change it.”
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