Paul Merson told Sky Sports that Mikel Arteta has become Arsenal manager too early, as posted by Football Daily.
It’s been over a year since Arteta took the reigns in North London and Merson thinks during that time the young Arsenal boss has had to ‘clear up a lot of mess’.
Whilst questions continue to be asked of certain senior players at Arsenal, it’s the youngsters who are thriving and forging a path forward for the rest.
Merson thinks that there have been improvements at Arsenal but today’s showdown with Manchester City is unfair to see how far they have come.
“I don’t think (today’s game) is going to be to see how far they have come forward because this is Manchester City,” said Merson. “They are on a roll.
“Last season, they beat them in a big football match in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. They had a plan and they have to go back to that plan.
“I think they are quietly improving. I like what Arteta is doing. He’s just trying to get rid of everything. It was like a storm had ripped through the place (when he first joined). There was a lot of deadwood and people on a lot of money.
“I think he has come in, and it’s a shame really, I would have liked to have seen him be the next manager after all of this had been cleared up. I just think he is clearing up a lot of mess – and it’s taking its time.”
Arsenal will look back on their FA Cup semi-final win against Manchester City as a reason to believe that they can cause an upset.
The big difference is that this Man City team is a different animal to the one they played back then.
Whilst the attacking talent is there for all to see, not many teams can get past their now-improved defence, with the team currently holding the best defensive record in the league.
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