Paul Merson has a shocking prediction for North London derby that Spurs fans will enjoy

Tottenham and Arsenal will come to blows in the next Premier League game in what will be a brilliant marker for the progress the two teams have made over the summer. But, Arsenal legend Paul Merson has bad news for the Gunners.

Rice absence could be an issue

Both teams have already dropped points this season, with Spurs only managing a draw against Leicester City and then falling to defeat against Newcastle United last weekend.

Meanwhile, Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw against Brighton in their last game, and also had Declan Rice sent off in controversial circumstances, meaning he will miss the North London derby.

It is that suspension for Rice that could prove crucial for the upcoming Premier League game, and Merson is starting to worry whether Arsenal can actually get a result against Spurs this time round.

He told Sky Sports: “I was very bullish last time. Turned up, I thought Arsenal will definitely win this game. I’m not sure this time. Declan Rice is a big miss. I think the next two games are big for Arsenal coming up, and if they don’t get at least four points there they’ll be right up against it.

“I don’t think the fixtures have been kind to Arsenal at the start of the season. I know people say they settle their way out by the end, but you don’t want to be playing catch-up with Man City.

“If they don’t win against Spurs, and then go and get beat by Man City, they could be seven, eight, nine points behind. That’s too many.”

Merson praises Spurs

Merson was pushed for an answer as to whether he thinks Spurs could win the game, and clearly his Arsenal allegiances stopped him short of backing the Lilywhites for the victory. But, he did have plenty of positive things to say about Ange Postecoglou‘s team.

He added: “I think Tottenham should have more points than they do. I thought they were outstanding against Leicester first half, if they’d got the second goal there they’d have won that.

“Then they destroyed Everton. And I thought they were bang unlucky against Newcastle, they shouldn’t have lost that game.

“This is a difficult game for Arsenal.”

Spurs Web Opinion

These games are so hard to call. But, at home, after they beat us there last season, we have got to put that right. We need to see a big performance from the lads and hopefully, we can get a positive result to really show what we are about this season.

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