Arsenal great Paul Merson has said he would be surprised if the Gunners beat Manchester City in their Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday (February 15).
The Gunners failed to extend their lead at the top of the 2022-23 Premier League table after recording a 1-1 draw at home against Brentford on Saturday (February 11). Winter signing Leandro Trossard scored his first goal for his new club on 66 minutes, but Ivan Toney leveled things on 74 minutes to give Thomas Frank’s side a vital away point.
Arsenal move 6 points clear at the top having played the same number of games as second place Manchester City! 💪 https://t.co/uwJxHvu1rM
Speaking in sky sports, Merson shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s upcoming clash against Manchester City next week. He elaborated:
“Tough game coming up. Big game on Wednesday night. If you want to win Premier League titles, any league title, that’s how you bounce back. It’s all about timing. At the start of the season you’re probably thinking, ‘Brentford at home, it’s not the worst’, but they’re in top form and they played like a good team, a smart football team.”
Analyzing Arsenal’s performance against Brentford, Merson added:
“When they won 1-0, you’d expect them to hold and they didn’t. It’s a great game on Wednesday. I think it’s decisive. If Manchester City go and win the game, I don’t think so.” I see Arsenal coming back from that. After that performance, I don’t see them beating City. I would be quite surprised. They were so open in the back.”
Predicting that City would expose the Gunners’ defence, Merson continued:
“If Brentford had picked the right pass at times they would have gone on and won that game. Toney missed a very good chance when he hit the bar and well Manchester City have a better quality of player to pick that right pass.” the final third of the opposition. On Wednesday night, I would be quite surprised if Arsenal won that game.”
👊 Attentions move to Wednesday. Thanks for your support, Gooners 👏 https://t.co/tI9hCC6Qx7
Manchester City interested in signing 24-year-old star with links to Arsenal: Reports
According The times, Manchester City have identified Declan Rice as one of their main 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 his radar.
If Rice were to secure a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer, it would provide elite competition for Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Kalvin Phillips. City captain Ilkay Gundogan will depart on a free transfer in four months, while Bernardo Silva is likely to seal a big-money exit.
Rice, who is valued at over £100m, has registered 11 goals and 12 assists in 223 appearances in all competitions for West Ham.