Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes that his old side can still finish above north London rivals Tottenham to clinch fourth place despite the contrasting form of both sides. Spurs have won their last four in a row, whilst Mikel Arteta’s side have suffered back to back defeats.
Spurs’ recent upswing in results has seen them open up a three-point gap over fifth-placed Arsenal, but the Gunners have a game in hand. However, they have been hit by several injuries to key players, with Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey unlikely to play again this season. They also failed to strengthen their squad in January.
Meanwhile, Spurs, who were active in the January window, owe much of their improved form to the acquisitions of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur. The former Juventus duo have established themselves as key players under Conte and have been integral parts of their top-four push.
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However, Merson remains sceptical that Spurs have put the inconsistency that was the hallmark of the first half of their season is now behind them. And he still believes Arsenal have a chance to pip them to fourth because of their previous failures.
"I still feel Arsenal are in it because Tottenham have still got a Tottenham in them," Merson wrote in his column for Sky Sports.
"I don't mean that in a horrible way, but they still have got a Tottenham in them. Everyone was going mad about them, but they could've been blown away in the first half against Aston Villa.
"Villa should've been out of sight, and they only have to have one of those days in the next seven weeks. The 4-0 win over Villa covered over the cracks.
"They did some great stuff, don't get me wrong, but in the first half Hugo Lloris had to make save after save. So I'm still not convinced by Tottenham.
"The top four is still very much on for Arsenal."
Meanwhile, fellow pundits and Manchester United legend Gary Neville criticised Arsenal's poor form in recent weeks. He also tipped Spurs to clinch fourth because they have the nucleus of a side that are used to finishing in the top four.
"I said a few weeks ago I didn't trust Arsenal fully, and the reason behind that was because they needed to prove they could go through a run-in where they were favourites for the top four. He said on the Gary Neville podcast.
"Those doubts are starting to come to the fore. I have to say I think Tottenham are just basically getting there through the fact they've had a bit of experience in the last three or four, five years of getting into the Champions League."
