Paul Merson predicts Arsenal v Chelsea, reveals what was shocking
By Will Butcher
Paul Merson has predicted Arsenal to lose a second consecutive Premier League match against Chelsea on Saturday.
The Gunners were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at the Emirates by Walter Mazzarri’s Watford on Tuesday night, leaving them nine points behind Saturday’s opponents Chelsea.
Merson claimed on the Sky Sports website that Chelsea would compound Arsenal fans’ misery by securing a comprehensive 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
The former Gunner believes Saturday’s clash is a “must-win game”, if they are to stay in the hunt for the Premier League title after losing to Watford earlier in the week.
“Arsenal were shocking on Tuesday against Watford and they won’t be relishing this trip to Stamford Bridge,” Merson revealed.
“It’s a must-win game for Arsenal after their defeat to the Hornets, and they have got to go for it against the best team in the country. That will play into Chelsea’s hands.”
A win for Antonio Conte’s league leaders will see them go 12 points clear of their London rivals, leaving Arsenal’s title hopes hanging by a thread.
Manager Wenger has somewhat of a midfield dilemma on his hands ahead of Saturday’s lunctime kick-off, with Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey ruled out through injury.
The duo join Granit Xhaka in watching from the sidelines, who is serving the final match of a three-game ban after receiving a straight red card for a dangerous tackle against Burnley.
A win for Arsenal could see them claw in Chelsea to just six points and move into second, if north London rivals Tottenham lose to Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.
In other Arsenal news, this is why Carl Jenkinson refused to leave the Emirates in January.
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