Tottenham face Arsenal this weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur face Arsenal at the weekend in a Premier League game which already feels like a ‘must win’.
Spurs have won just one of three matches to begin the season, and a defeat to rivals Arsenal would pile on the negativity.
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has already stoked the fires, saying he predicts a heavy defeat for Tottenham.
He told Sky’s The Debate (26/8 10pm) that he believes Arsenal will win 4-1, and believes Tottenham are already out of the title race.
Merson told Sky Sports: “They are out of the title race already, five points behind Liverpool with three games played. That may sound harsh, but would you back Spurs to win the league over Liverpool if Liverpool had a five-point head start?”
Tottenham finished more than 20 points behind Manchester City last season, so their start is far from ideal.
Yet a win for Spurs at the weekend would begin to sway opinion back the other way, to see them deliver the goods in such an important match.
Merson’s comments may even be motivating for Tottenham’s stars.
Spurs fans accept their team’s recent shortcomings, but feel Merson’s comments are over the top.
Here is a look at the reaction…
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