Paul Merson says: Arsenal a few accidents away from Premier League top-four struggle | Soccer Information

Paul Merson says Arsenal are simply a few accidents away from dealing with an actual struggle to make the Premier League’s high 4 this season.

The Gunners have been Manchester Metropolis’s closest challengers during the last two seasons, completed second to Pep Guardiola’s facet on each events.

Many have tipped Mikel Arteta’s facet to go one higher this season however former Arsenal star Merson has supplied some phrases of warning for his former facet’s possibilities of ending a 20-year wait to convey the title again to north London.

In his first column of the brand new season for Sky Sports activities, the Magic Man additionally discusses Liverpool, who will likely be led by new boss Arne Slot this season after the departure of Jurgen Klopp, and he believes Tottenham, with new signing Dominic Solanke, might spring a shock or two and qualify for the Champions League.

Lastly, Merson provides his view on Chelsea, who face Manchester Metropolis on Sunday of their opening match of the season, dwell on Sky Sports activities (kick-off 4.30pm), saying new boss Enzo Maresca should hit the bottom operating at Stamford Bridge to keep away from any early strain constructing on the Italian.

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‘Arsenal a few accidents away from simply being a top-four staff’

I do know after their performances in current seasons within the Premier League this may be barely controversial, however I believe Arsenal are a few accidents away from being in a battle to make the highest 4.

On paper, they’re actually Manchester Metropolis’s closest challengers, however final season the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka all performed lots of soccer matches.

The 2 central defenders just about performed each sport. Nonetheless, a few seasons in the past Saliba picked up an damage in direction of the top of the season and so they have been leaking targets left, proper and centre as their title bid faltered.

All their huge gamers stayed match and that was essential for Mikel Arteta’s facet final season, however they nonetheless couldn’t overhaul Manchester Metropolis.

Speaking up Arsenal as Premier League title challengers is harmful for me this time round. If they’ll maintain all their huge gamers match they are going to push Pep Guardiola’s facet shut, probably all the best way once more. But when they’ve some unhealthy luck with accidents this time round, it could possibly be an actual battle.

I nonetheless additionally suppose the Gunners want a centre-forward earlier than the switch window closes. I am unable to see them successful the Premier League with out an out-and-out striker.

‘Liverpool’s squad wants bolstering however they are going to do nicely beneath Slot’

Liverpool are in the same place to the place Tottenham have been beneath Mauricio Pochettino just a few years in the past.

For me, they’ve an unbelievable 11 or 12 gamers. They’ve a extremely robust staff and that makes it tough to purchase gamers.

The way in which the PSR guidelines work in soccer now, you may’t go and pay £70m for a participant and never play them. Large gamers do not come to take a seat on the bench. That is tough for Liverpool as a result of they’ve to search out high-quality to truly enhance the primary XI.

I like Liverpool’s staff. They’ve targets within the staff and due to that I believe they are going to be alright beneath Arne Slot, however they need to discover a manner of bulking the squad up earlier than the switch window closes.

As like Arsenal and with most groups, the large factor for Liverpool is conserving the gamers match. They want Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold to play each week.

They want their key gamers match and firing, in any other case it could possibly be a little bit of a battle.

‘Spurs can break into the highest 4’

There’s been lots of speak about West Ham and their summer season enterprise, however I do not see the Hammers being a shock bundle this season.

Them doing nicely will not be actually a shock to me, they’ve been in Europe loads over the previous few years and likewise gained the Europa Convention League a few seasons in the past.

They’ve purchased nicely and made some first rate signings, nevertheless it’s nonetheless going to be arduous for them to interrupt in to say the highest 4.

I do [think there will be a surprise]. Tottenham will end within the high 4.

Spurs have been unfortunate final season. They began brilliantly after which misplaced to Chelsea. That they had two gamers despatched off that day however they misplaced so many to damage as nicely that week. We simply talked about Arsenal successful the league, if you happen to took the important thing gamers Spurs misplaced away from Arsenal, or anyone else bar Manchester Metropolis, it might be a battle.

If Spurs can maintain their gamers match they’ll spring a shock or two this season.

‘Solanke to have a huge impact for Spurs’

Dominic Solanke is a extremely good purchase. Tottenham wanted an out-and-out striker with tempo, and he is that. He is a presence up there main the road and he’ll swimsuit the best way Spurs play beneath Ange Postecoglou.

Richarlison is an efficient participant on his day, however you want greater than in your day.

Solanke could possibly be that distinction as a result of groups have been beginning to push up on Spurs and suffocate them, however Solanke’s tempo and his menace in behind might help stretch the sport for Postecoglou’s facet.

That would in flip assist James Maddison, who did not get a lot house in any respect when he returned to the staff after his damage. However Solanke will assist him get house and with time and house, Maddison can pick anyone.

‘Maresca should hit the bottom operating at Chelsea’

Chelsea’s opener in opposition to Manchester Metropolis can go both manner. Both it is a good sport to begin and you will get a consequence in opposition to the champions to kick-start the season. With a win in opposition to Metropolis, the negativity can flip to positivity in a short time.

Nonetheless, a giant defeat to Metropolis on the opening day would actually see the strain construct rapidly.

Enzo Maresca has received to hit the bottom operating however I am unable to see this staff being constant sufficient.

Folks will level to the truth that they completed strongly within the league, successful their remaining 5 matches of the season. However not lengthy earlier than that they have been getting crushed 5-0 by Arsenal.

That is the benchmark. Beating the likes of Brighton and West Ham, no disrespect to these sides, is not Chelsea’s benchmark. Their benchmark is Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis.

In the intervening time, I am seeing Chelsea as a cup staff once more. If they’ll get into the highest 4 this season, I believe they’d have had the largest consequence ever.