Merson gives fresh prediction on Spurs vs Arsenal top-four battle

Paul Merson hasn’t given up on Arsenal yet in the hunt for a place in the Premier League top four despite their poor form.

The Gunners were in a commanding position only a few weeks ago but three consecutive losses mean that they are no longer favourites to grab that final Champions League spot.

Injuries to Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney have had an impact on their performances with their 1-0 loss to Southampton seeing them drop to sixth in the Premier League behind Tottenham and Manchester United.

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Arsenal do have a game in hand on fourth-placed Spurs, who are three points ahead of them, with the north London rivals having to play each other on May 12.

Merson, who doesn’t even touch on Man Utd being part of the fight for fourth, would still back Tottenham to finish ahead of Arsenal but he still thinks his former club could do it.

Former Gunners midfielder Merson told Sky Sports (via Football.London): “We sat here two or three weeks ago when Arsenal were (starting to struggle). Arsenal and Tottenham weren’t going to win their last eight games each. They weren’t and they aren’t good enough to win their last eight games each.

“Liverpool and Man City are. That’s why that Sunday (Premier League) game was big. Whoever won that Man City-Liverpool game, you could see them reeling off the next seven wins. You were never going to see that with Arsenal or Tottenham.

“They (Brighton) had a play. Sat back and counter-attacked – there is still a long way to go. I still think Tottenham are favourites to get into the top four.”

Owen Hargreaves made a similar prediction to Merson a couple of days ago with the former Man Utd midfielder backing Tottenham to “get the job done”.

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