Paul Merson Gives Verdict on Which of Arsenal & Tottenham Will Finish Higher Next Season
Former Arsenal winger Paul Merson has backed Tottenham to finish above the Gunners again in the Premier League next season.
Mauricio Pochettino's side were runners-up to league winners Chelsea last season, and finished three places and eleven points ahead of Arsenal.
And Merson, despite expressing doubts over Spurs' ability to play at Wembley, has claimed that should get the better of their North London rivals.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Paul Merson answers questions during Gillette Soccer Saturday Live with Jeff Stelling on March 19, 2012 at the Bournemouth International Centre in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
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“If they were playing at White Hart Lane, I’d have said Tottenham all day long,” he told talkSPORT.
“I just think, playing there [at Wembley]… their away record was one of the poorest of the top six last season.
“But I’ve got to say Tottenham. Tottenham are a better team than Arsenal.”
And Merson also made clear his opinion that Arsenal will soon receive a blow in the transfer window, and lose a key player in Alexis Sanchez.
Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (R) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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“I’d be shocked if he [Sanchez] was there come the end of the transfer window," he said.
“We’ve seen this Arsene before, Wenger’s said it a lot... Nasri’s not leaving, Fabregas is not leaving, Van Persie’s not leaving.
“He can say all these things and then he can say, ‘it’s out of my hands, the board want to sell him, the club’s a business’.”
And on their prospects for next season, he added: “I will be shocked if there will be a title challenge in my opinion. I think they are still short, I don’t think they’ll dominate games in midfield and they are not rock solid at the back, so for me that is the worry."
