Arsenal travel to Elland Road to take on Leeds United in the Premier League.
The Gunners are four points clear at the top of the table, and a win on Saturday will see them restore their seven-point cushion over Manchester City, at least temporarily.
Mikel Arteta’s side have failed to win any of their last three Premier League games, so beating Leeds has become more important than ever now.
The Arsenal manager has a few selection dilemmas going into the game, and Paul Merson has offered him some advice.
What is your score prediction: Leeds United _-_ Arsenal
Paul Merson tells Mikel Arteta to drop Leandro Trossard and start Gabriel Martinelli for Leeds United vs Arsenal
Arsenal’s attack has been their big problem in the Premier League in recent weeks.
The Gunners have the best defence in the country, and their central midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi has usually been rock solid as well.
However, Arteta needs to find a solution at the top end of the pitch, and Merson thinks Gabriel Martinelli is the man to start on the left wing.
The pundit believes the Brazilian’s pace will offer Arsenal more than Leandro Trossard does.
He wrote on Sportskeeda: “Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli should come into the starting line-up for this game.
“Leandro Trossard will give you a bit of guile, but I think Martinelli’s pace will be really useful against Leeds.”
Merson also predicted a 2-0 win for the Gunners against Daniel Farke’s side.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta now needs to make a very simple Eberechi Eze decision ahead of Leeds vs Arsenal
This is our Arsenal predicted XI vs Leeds United. Tell us yours!
Paul Merson is wrong – Leandro Trossard should start for Arsenal vs Leeds United
Martinelli is definitely faster than Trossard, and his pace could cause Leeds’ defence a few problems at Elland Road on Saturday.
However, the former Ituano man has struggled in the Premier League this season. He has scored just one goal all campaign, which came back in September against Manchester City.
Trossard, on the other hand, has been one of Arsenal’s best attackers this season. He has scored five goals and provided four assists in 13 league starts, which is an excellent return.
Furthermore, the ‘super‘ Belgian is much better in tight spaces than Martinelli, and he has already shown this season that he can be effective against the smaller teams.
We think Merson is wrong. Trossard must start over Martinelli against Leeds.
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