‘I’d be shocked’: Paul Merson makes Tottenham and Arsenal U-turn

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Paul Merson has predicted in The Daily Star that Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur will finish ahead of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the top four of the Premier League table this season.

The Sky Sports pundit made the prediction in the wake of Tottenham winning against Arsenal in the North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday evening.

The former Arsenal star believes that Tottenham will now end up above Arsenal in the table.

The Gunners are currently fourth in the standings, a point ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham.

Back in March 2022, Merson predicted Arsenal to end up above Tottenham in the top four, as quoted on SportsKeeda, but he seems to have changed his mind now.

Paul Merson on Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur top-four battle

Merson wrote in The Daily Star: “I could not believe what I was watching. They have opened the door to the top four now and I’d be shocked if Tottenham don’t win their last two games.

“I can’t see Arsenal winning their last two games. Newcastle in their last home game of the season is a difficult game because they will have a point to prove. Everton at the Emirates? You’d take that. Everton have picked up results lately. But Jordan Pickford has had to make a load of top class saves.

“If Arsenal win their last two games then fair play but for a young team like that to come back from a derby defeat like that and do it, that would be a big feat. I just don’t see how Arsenal handle the pressure. They didn’t handle it at Spurs.”

Advantage Gunners

In our opinion, Arsenal are the favourites to clinch the fourth and final Champions League place in the Premier League table this season.

Yes, the Gunners have tough games coming up, but we should not forget that they are a point ahead of Spurs.

So, all Arsenal need to do is win their final two Premier League games, and they will return to the Champions League.

Now, of course, we know that it is not going to be easy for Arsenal, but they could use the defeat to Tottenham in the North London derby as an inspiration and bounce back.