Arsenal great Paul Merson says he would be surprised if the Gunners beat Manchester City in their Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday (February 15th).
The Gunners failed to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table for the 2022-23 season. after they drew 1-1 against Brentford on Saturday (11 February). Winter signing Leandro Trossard scored his first goal for his new club in the 66th minute. But Ivan Toney leveled matters in the 74th minute to give Thomas Frank’s side a vital away point.
Arsenal moved 6 points clear at the top after playing the same number of games as second placed Manchester City! 💪 https://t.co/uwJxHvu1rM
Speaking further Sky Sports, Merson shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s upcoming clash with Manchester City next week. He elaborated:
“It’s a tough game coming up. A big game on Wednesday night. If you want to win the Premier League title, any league title, it’s important how you come back. It’s all about timing. At the start of the season you probably think, ‘Brentford at home, not the worst’, but they are in great form and played like a good team, a smart football team.”
Dissecting Arsenal’s performance against Brentford, Merson added:
“When they went 1-0 up, you’d expect them to hang on, but they didn’t. It’s a big game on Wednesday. I think it’s make or break. If Manchester City go and win the game, I don’t see Arsenal coming back after that. After that performance, I can’t see them beating City. I’d be quite shocked. They were so open at the back.”
Predicting that City would unravel the Gunners’ defence, Merson continued:
“If Brentford had picked the right pass every now and then, they would have gone in and won that game. Toney missed a real good chance where he hit the bar and well, Manchester City have a better quality player to pick that right pass in the last third of the opposition. On Wednesday night he was I’d be pretty shocked if Arsenal won that game.”
👊 Attention is focused on Wednesday. Thanks for your support, Gooners 👏 https://t.co/tI9hCC6Qx7
Manchester City interested in signing Arsenal-linked 24-year-old star: Reports
According to Time, Manchester City have identified Declan Rice as one of their top targets in the upcoming summer transfer window. Borussia Dortmund ace Jude Bellingham, Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell and AC Milan striker Rafael Leao are also on their radar.
Should Rice secure a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer, they will provide elite competition to Kevin De Bruyne, Rodrigo and Kalvin Phillips. City captain Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave on a free transfer in four months, while Bernardo Silva is likely to seal a big-money move.
Rice, who is valued at more than £100m, has 11 goals and 12 assists in 223 appearances in all competitions for West Ham.