Paul Merson names one player that could cost Arsenal the EPL title

The Gunners are in the mix for another title battle in the Premier League this season, but Paul Merson fears one player could derail their bid.

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s defending could be a problem for Arsenal in big games, according to Paul Merson.

Last season’s runners-up are in the thick of another battle for Premier League glory this term. The Gunners have taken 40 points out of an available 54 from 18 games to go second in the table, two points behind Liverpool. If they can beat West Ham on Thursday, they will reclaim first place.

Yet, Merson believes the left-back position is a weakness for Arsenal, based on Zinchenko’s performance in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

“Arsenal are a different team now,” the former Gunners midfielder said on Sky Sports.

“They’ve learned a lot from last season and Declan Rice has taken them to another level. I think they will go on and win it now. This could be their problem: The left-back. That’s poor defending [against Liverpool].

“That’s my worry. I think they need Zinchenko for games against bottom-half teams, where they can go and play and dominate the game, but when they play the big boys [they don’t]. They are nice fixtures [coming up against West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest ]. They should win all four.

“If they don’t, you’re not entitled to win the Premier League. You’ve got to beat those teams and then the big games look after themselves. But I make Arsenal the team now. Coming out of the Liverpool game with a draw, and those next four fixtures, that’s 22 [games played].”

Merson’s worries over Zinchenko may be calmed though when Jurrien Timber returns from an ACL injury. The €40 million summer signing from Ajax is aiming to make his comeback in early 2024. Manager Mikel Arteta said he is making ‘very fast’ progress from his recovery earlier this month.