Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Tottenham at the moment are in pole role to land the fourth and final Champions League spot following activities in the modern spherical of Premier League fixtures.
The two north London competitors are actually degree on factors, however Spurs are above the Gunners on purpose difference – and even though Mikel Arteta’s guys still have a recreation in hand, Merson thinks it’s benefit Tottenham.
There become a big seven-aim swing as Antonio Conte’s aspect thrashed Newcastle 5-1 earlier than Arsenal had been thumped 3-0 at Crystal Palace.
And Merson, writing in his Sky Sports column, feels that the Gunners’ inexperience should ultimately value them.
He stated: “When you have got a young team like Arsenal, you’ve were given to simply take the difficult with the easy – and the Crystal Palace defeat changed into very, very rough.
“Arsenal are a first rate team – they’ve were given excellent younger players – however they’re going to be up and down with their performances. One week they’ll be a nine out of 10, the next week they’ll be a 4 out of 10.
“It wouldn’t have surprised me if they didn’t beat Watford when they gained 3-2. It wouldn’t have surprised me in the event that they didn’t beat Leicester after they won 2-0. That’s simply the manner it's far, it’s a younger crew.
“There are approaches of getting beat and Monday night time at Palace wasn’t a very good manner of having beat. It was disturbing. I expected one of those performances from Tottenham earlier than the stop of the season, I didn’t count on it from Arsenal. They could lose a recreation, but not like that.
“Palace is a hard area to go on a Monday night, don’t underestimate it. And if Arsenal had overwhelmed Palace, I thought top 4 was accomplished and dusted. It could have been 3 points clear and a game in hand, it turned into big.
“Now all of a unexpected, Arsenal don’t actually have a sport in hand – because Tottenham have were given them at home besides. It doesn’t rely what they do with their sport in hand, due to the fact Tottenham will ought to beat them and may overtake them.
