Paul Merson is expecting Arsenal to get back to winning ways when they face Southampton at the Emirates tomorrow afternoon.
The Gunners were disappointing in their 2-1 loss to Everton last time out but the Saints aren’t exactly in good form and Merson thinks the home side will press home their advantage:
“Mikel Arteta will realize that this is a crucial game. If they win this fixture, it puts them in a nice position. They can kick on after this game and have a few nice fixtures coming up. I’m going to go with an Arsenal victory this weekend.”
Merson has gone with a 2-0 victory for Arsenal, which seems a fair prediction considering that Mikel Arteta’s side have been very strong on their own turf so far this season.
In their seven league matches at their Emirates, the Gunners have won five and drawn one, with their only defeat coming against Chelsea all the way back in August.
You wouldn’t expect Arsenal to run away with this game, by any means, as Southampton did hold Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at the Etihad earlier this campaign but, as Merson says, Arteta’s men should just have enough to get over the line.