Paul Merson has shared his prediction for the upcoming north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.
Spurs will travel a short distance to face Arsenal on Wednesday night, aiming to increase the pressure on Gunners’ manager Mikel Arteta.
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Arsenal has had a tough start to 2025, losing more points in the title race at Brighton last weekend before suffering a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. ..Continue Reading
Five days later, Arsenal was eliminated from the FA Cup after losing on penalties to Manchester United, putting their season’s hopes in jeopardy.
Currently, the Gunners are six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool ahead of the north London derby and know they must avoid further slip-ups to have a chance at their first title since 2004.
Arsenal stands ten places and 17 points ahead of their north London rivals Tottenham, who have struggled under Ange Postecoglou and dropped into the lower half of the Premier League.
Spurs have not won a league match in a month and were taken to extra-time by non-league side Tamworth in the FA Cup over the weekend.
Considering Tottenham’s inconsistent form, Merson “cannot see” Spurs winning at Arsenal and has predicted a relatively comfortable home victory for the title-chasing Gunners.
He told Sportskeeda: ‘I expect Arsenal to beat Tottenham, but they desperately need a new centre-forward.
‘Spurs are too up and down and I just don’t see how they can win here. A trophy would keep Ange Postecoglou in the job.
‘If they finish eighth in the Premier League and win the Carabao Cup, where they have a 1-0 advantage ahead of the semi-final second leg at Anfield, that’s still good in my opinion.
‘Some top teams could finish in the top four this season and not have a trophy, And this is Spurs by the way, they have never won anything!
‘If Arsenal win and Forest manage to get a draw or win against Liverpool, suddenly the gap at the top doesn’t look that big.
‘Liverpool’s game in hand is also a different thing now because it’s David Moyes in charge of Everton. If Liverpool end up drawing that game, Arsenal are in with a huge chance.
‘Everything has to start with a win here against Spurs, though.’
Ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton has also backed Arsenal to beat Tottenham and earn north London bragging rights again.
‘Arsenal have had a bad week and right now it looks like Tottenham have a better chance of winning a trophy this season than they do,’ he told BBC Sport.
‘People are quite rightly pointing out that the Gunners are missing chances and, with Bukayo Saka out injured, they are just lacking that spark in attack.
‘Having said all that, maybe they will find it again here, because I think the way Spurs play will suit Arsenal.
‘By that, I mean Mikel Arteta’s side can soak up pressure and counter-attack, and even without Saka or a recognised centre-forward, I think they will get chances in this game.
‘It is whether they take them this time. I am backing them to stick a couple away.
‘Of course this derby is really important to Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham in their situation, but the expansive way they play means it is tall order to expect an unfamiliar defence and new goalkeeper to step up again.
‘I do see Spurs scoring, but they give up a lot of chances. Arsenal have to win this game to hang on in the title race, and I think they will.’
