Two-time English champion Paul Merson has mentioned Arsenal has an abundance of “togetherness” — an element important to successful the Premier League title. He additionally predicted a three-way title battle this season, backing Liverpool to maintain Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis on their toes.
Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal Play Out an Enthralling Recreation
Premier League challengers Arsenal traveled to champions Manchester Metropolis‘s yard, the Etihad Stadium, for his or her Matchday 5 assembly on Sunday, September 22. Erling Haaland fired the hosts into the lead within the ninth minute, giving them full management.
Regardless of going behind so early within the sport, Arsenal didn’t lose their cool and scored the equalizer within the twenty second minute, with Riccardo Calafiori securing it with an outside-the-box effort. Early into the first-half harm time, Gabriel Magalhaes scored Arsenal’s go-ahead purpose, however a second yellow card for Leandro Trossard left the guests in a troublesome scenario going into the second half.
The Gunners defended diligently all through the second 45 and would have secured most factors had John Stones not popped up with the equalizer (2-2) within the dying embers of the sport.
Paul Merson Claims Cityzens Are Nicely Conscious of Gunners’ Risk
Merson, who spent 12 years in North London, praised Arsenal for his or her efficiency on Sunday, saying that they had come a great distance within the final three years. In his Sky Sports activities column, he wrote:
“After digesting the sport slightly, if you happen to’re Arsenal, you go 1-0 down, you come again and get to 2-1 up, after which with 10 gamers, you maintain on till the final kick of the sport however nonetheless get a draw. For me, that’s how a lot they’ve improved.
“Three years in the past, that sport finally ends up 4-0.”
He added:
“Arsenal have a togetherness and it’s important to have a togetherness to win leagues. They’ve that in abundance and so do Manchester Metropolis. I believe Liverpool have it as properly however – and I don’t wish to decide on one workforce – I don’t see that at Manchester United, for instance.
“It’s what you’ll want to win league trophies, and Arsenal are firmly within the operating this season. They’re an enormous risk to Man Metropolis and don’t Metropolis realize it.”
Lastly, commenting on the title battle this season, Merson added:
“I believe we’ll see Man Metropolis, Arsenal and Liverpool combating it out all season, all the best way to the top. However the important thing can be Arsenal and Liverpool protecting all their gamers match. Man Metropolis have proved they will have a few gamers lacking and they’re going to nonetheless have simple video games the place they rack up huge wins. I’m not so positive it’s as simple for Liverpool and Arsenal. That’s the distinction between them and everyone else.”
Arsenal will return to Premier League motion with a conflict at residence in opposition to Leicester Metropolis. Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool, in the meantime, will journey to Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively. All three matches will happen on September 28.
