Arsenal’s victory over Tottenham in the North London derby has drawn praise for Mikel Arteta’s leadership. Paul Merson, writing in his Sky Sports column, commends Arteta for earning respect through his successful tenure at the club. However, Merson also acknowledges the formidable challenge Arsenal faces in dethroning Manchester City as Premier League champions, comparing it to the daunting task of defeating Mike Tyson in a heavyweight boxing match.
While acknowledging Arsenal’s important win at Tottenham, Merson expresses concerns about the team’s ability to maintain their momentum and ultimatelysecure the league title. He questions how the team will react if they win their next three matches but still fall short of the championship.
Merson emphasizes the importance of consistency and discipline during the crucial run-in period, as even a minor error, such as a goalkeeper’s mistake, can have significant consequences. He stresses that Arsenal must learn from their tendency to become complacent and regain their focus throughout theentire match.
Despite these concerns, Merson acknowledges Arteta’s impressive record of 100 Premier League wins in only 169 games, placing him among the fastest managers to reach that milestone. This achievement is a testament to Arsenal’s patience and support for Arteta, who has proven his abilities through consistent success on the pitch.
Merson also highlights Arsenal’s achievement of reaching 80 points in the Premier League for the first time in 19 years, a feat last accomplished during their title-winning seasons in 2003/04 and 2004/05. While this milestone is a positive sign of the team’s progress, Merson notes that the timing of Arsenal’s resurgence coincides with Manchester City’s dominance, making it difficult for the Gunners to challenge for the championship.
He draws a parallel between Arsenal’s situation and the challenge faced by athletes competing against exceptional rivals, such as Michael Johnson in the 400-meter race or Erling Haaland in football. Merson suggests that Arsenal may simply be unlucky to be competing in an era defined by Manchester City’s excellence.
Looking ahead, Merson wonders how Arsenal can continue to improve and strengthen their squad for next season. He suggests that the team may need to add a player with exceptional pace and electric attacking ability, similar to Haaland, to enhance their attacking threat.
Finally, Merson expresses pessimism about Manchester City’s chances of dropping any points in their remaining matches, arguing that the team is too proven and experienced to falter at this stage of the season. He believes that City’s ability to perform under pressure and grind out victories sets them apart and makes them clear favorites to retain their title.
