Paul Merson makes new top-four prediction as Arsenal defeat gives Spurs and Man Utd hope

Paul Merson believes ‘one-man team’ Tottenham are the new favourites for the top-four ahead of Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United.

Antonio Conte’s Spurs have won five of their last six league games to climb into the top-four, with Arsenal dropping to fifth after suffering a shock defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side do, however, have a game in hand over Tottenham and travel across north London to face their arch-rivals next month.

Manchester United and West Ham are a further three points behind, with Ralf Rangnick’s side struggling for consistency and dropping more points against Leicester City at the weekend, and the Hammers losing two of their last four league games and now possibly prioritising the Europa League.

‘Crystal Palace is a hard place to go on a Monday night, don’t underestimate it – and if Arsenal had beaten Palace, I thought top four was done and dusted,’ Merson told Sky Sports.

‘It would have been three points clear and a game in hand, it was massive. Now all of a sudden, Arsenal don’t really have a game in hand – because Tottenham have got them at home anyway.

‘It doesn’t matter what they do with their game in hand, because Tottenham will have to beat them and can overtake them.

‘You watch Tottenham completely and utterly dismantling Newcastle on Sunday. Newcastle aren’t the worst team in the world.

‘I watched them at Chelsea a few weeks ago, and bar genius from Kai Havertz and Jorginho, the Blues didn’t really look like scoring that day – then Tottenham go and put five past them.

‘Spurs are the favourites for top four now. When Harry Kane’s playing like he is, I don’t think too many teams are going to beat them.

‘I saw him go to the Etihad and rip Manchester