‘Big’ prediction made pre-Brighton after ‘nightmare’ Arsenal development – pundit
Arsenal don’t deserve to finish in the top-four if they don’t beat Brighton this weekend.
That’s according to former Leeds United stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about how Kieran Tierney’s injury could affect the Gunners.
As reported by David Ornstein on 5 April, Tierney, 24, will miss the rest of the season through injury.
Nuno Tavares replaced him against Crystal Palace on Monday (4 April) but was hooked at half-time after a poor performance.
Kenny insists Tierney’s injury is no excuse as Arsenal must take three points from a misfiring Brighton on Saturday (9 April).
“The Palace game was a really disappointing result, they didn’t play well,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“They gave the ball away a lot which was disappointing. You have to give a lot of credit to Palace.
“Arsenal have a big chance to react this weekend, they have Brighton. Tierney’s injury is no excuse.
“Brighton have scored something like one goal in their last seven games.
“If they can’t turn Brighton over then they don’t deserve to be in the top-four.
“It’s a massive opportunity for them to bounce right back. It’s going to be a close end to the season.
“Tierney will be a big miss because they don’t have a replacement, that injury is a nightmare for them.”
Arsenal are fifth in the Premier League but have a game in hand on fourth-placed Spurs.
Both sides go into this weekend’s round of fixtures on 54 points.
In other news, an Arsenal idol has issued a two-word verdict as Saka controversy analysed.