Raheem Sterling or Mikel Merino? Paul Merson makes prediction for Arsenal’s clash with West Ham

Paul Merson expects Mikel Arteta to stick with Raheem Sterling in his starting XI for Arsenal’s ‘must-win’ match against. West Ham, despite the forward’s ineffective performance at Leicester.

A season-ending injury to Kai Havertz force คาสิโนออนไลน์ UFABET ฝากถอนรวดเร็ว เริ่มต้นเล่นง่าย Mikel Arteta to field a new-look attack versus the Foxes, prompting some talk of Merino deputising in place of the German as a false nine.

Arteta instead opte to put his faith in a frontline of Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Sterling, who were frustrate by. Premier League strugglers Leicester for the most part at the King Power Stadium.

Sterling’s display was especially disappointing and the England international was taken. Off midway through the second half, with Merino introduce up front for the final 20 minutes.

The substitution prove a masterstroke as Merino heade home a pinpoint cross from man-of-the-match Nwaneri to break the deadlock around ten minutes later, before doubling Arsenal’s advantage with a superb first-time finish at the death.

Merino’s late heroics have inevitably led to calls for the Spaniard to be given the nod from the start for this weekend’s London derby – but Merson believes Arteta will resist the urge to make changes up top at the Emirates.

‘Arsenal have an advantage this week since they are playing before Liverpool. If they beat West Ham, they close the gap at the top to just five points,’ ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Merson said in his column.

‘If Liverpool lose to City on Sunday, the title race is wide open! This will still be a hard game for Arsenal, though.

I thought Arsenal struggle against Leicester until Mikel Merino score two very good late goals.

‘West Ham were decent against Chelsea, I like how they playe even though they lost.’

Merson adde: ‘Arsenal were poor in the first 70 minutes against Leicester. The football wasn’t free-flowing at all. I was gutte for Raheem Sterling because for some reason he just can’t seem to get going at Arsenal.

‘Despite his goal in the last game, I think Merino will be left on the bench here. I expect Mikel Arteta to use the same front three he used against Leicester.

‘If it doesn’t work out he can always bring Merino on and hope for the same result.’

Though wary of the threat West Ham pose on the counter-attack, Merson predicts second-place Arsenal will come away from Saturday’s all-London affair with a 1-0 victory.

‘West Ham will come out and frustrate Arsenal in this game, plus the Hammers have the firepower in the form of players who can pick you off,’ he continued.

‘They are also a better team in games where they are force to rely on counter-attack.