The Sky Sports pundit claimed that Newcastle can be a big threat to anyone when everyone is fit and on form, but feels this isn’t the case at the moment and fears we are “too open” at the back and could be picked apart.
Arsenal have also been without a couple of key players recently with Martin Odegaard a big miss, but Merson thinks they should have just enough to take all three points.
Unsurprisingly, Merson has named Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon as our biggest threats and with it still unknown whether Gabriel will be fit to play, the attacking duo will back themselves against Arsenal’s shaken up back line that could also be without White and Calafiori.
Merson said: “This is a huge game for Arsenal. It’s one where you look at and think, ‘Arsenal must win this one’. Liverpool face Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend and they already beat them in the Carabao Cup in midweek, so we’re expecting the same result again. You also expect Manchester City to beat Bournemouth so Arsenal cannot afford to slip up.
“Arsenal are sitting back too much in games now. I know they have key players missing out due to injuries, but they should’ve attacked more against Liverpool last weekend. Even if a draw is still a fair result for them, Arsenal weren’t as free-flowing as they were before and that’s a problem. The old Arsenal were entertaining, now they’re just sitting back and counter-attacking. If you do that every week in this league, you will get found out soon.
“I hope this change in strategy is only due to the players they are missing at the moment. After the trip to Newcastle, they face Chelsea away from home. These two games are crucial for the Gunners, they must find a way to win both!
“Newcastle beat Chelsea during the cup game in midweek, but I doubt they can back it up with another win on Saturday. Alexander Isak seems to have returned to form and Anthony Gordon is always a threat with his pace. But I feel they are too open at the back and good teams can always pick them apart. When they have all their players in good form, Newcastle are a proper team but that isn’t the case at the moment. Arsenal win for me in this one!”
Merson’s Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
It’s a huge game for Eddie Howe, who will be hoping to end a run of four games without victory in the league and especially after a disappointing defeat to Chelsea last weekend
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