Arsenal host Chelsea this weekend after dropping points away at Manchester United last Sunday in the Premier League.
The Gunners were poor against United, struggling to create many clear-cut chances against a resolute low block from Ruben Amorim’s team.
United ultimately secured a 1-1 draw, with Bruno Fernandes’ first-half free-kick cancelled out by Declan Rice’s emphatic strike.
Mikel Arteta’s team cannot afford to slip up again this weekend, with a failure to beat bitter rivals Chelsea potentially dragging them into the race for a place in the top four.
Paul Merson couldn’t believe Mikel Arteta’s substitutions against Manchester United
With Arsenal chasing an equaliser and then a winner against United, Arteta opted not to call upon Raheem Sterling from the bench.
Instead, the Spaniard brought Kieran Tierney on out of position on the left-wing, and the Gunners ultimately failed to find the winning goal.
Writing for Sportskeeda, former Arsenal forward and now pundit Paul Merson lamented this substitution decision from Arteta.
“When Mikel Arteta refused to bring Raheem Sterling on against Manchester United, I thought it wasn’t the right decision,” he wrote.
“They had to win that game and I can’t believe he didn’t play at all!
“Sterling impressed me against PSV in the Champions League. In fact, I thought he was one of Arsenal’s best players in the second leg.”
Indeed, Sterling responded with an impressive showing against PSV, registering assists for both of Arsenal’s goals.
On loan from Chelsea, the Englishman won’t feature on Sunday at the Emirates and has likely been pushed further down the pecking order with the return to fitness for Gabriel Martinelli.
Paul Merson predicts Arsenal to beat Chelsea
Chelsea have been in poor form of late and are currently suffering from several injury issues.
The likes of Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu are definitely out for the trip to N5, while Malo Gusto is a doubt.
Thus, Arsenal should be primed to overcome Enzo Maresca’s side, and Merson has backed them to do so.
“Arsenal need to win this game. A defeat to Chelsea would pull the Gunners back into the race to finish in the top four. They are now 15 points behind Liverpool and just eight points ahead of Manchester City in fifth-place.
“Another loss and you have to start worrying about them finishing insider the top four and I can’t believe I’m saying that.
“Chelsea are a better team when Cole Palmer is firing, but without Jackson he has struggled. I expect Palmer to find more space to operate in during this game, but I’m not sure Chelsea have enough to trouble Arsenal.
“Sterling is not eligible to play against his parent club, so I expect Mikel Merino to continue in attack. I’m not a big fan of the midfielder playing there, but what else can Arsenal do now?”
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
