Paul Merson has been left stunned by Mikel Arteta’s assessment of Chelsea following Arsenal’s victory over their London rivals on Sunday. Arsenal edged a tight 1-0 battle at the Emirates Stadium to solidify their position in the Champions League qualification positions.
A first-half Mikel Merino goal proved the difference for the Gunners, who were rarely troubled by a Cole Palmer-less Chelsea. However, to the surprise of Merson, Arsenal boss Arteta dubbed Chelsea the “best attacking team” in the league during his post-match debrief. The Spanish coach said: “In my opinion, they're the best attacking team in the league. By a mile. The stats say it, everything I've seen says it in open play.”
It was a sentiment that Merson didn’t agree with, as the ex-Arsenal ace explained during his Sky Sports column this week. He wrote: “Mikel Arteta said Chelsea are the best attacking team in the Premier League after Arsenal's 1-0 victory over them on Sunday. I don't know what I'm missing.
“When Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer are playing, they're a good team. They bring the best out of each other. Palmer's a better player when Jackson's playing and Jackson's a better player when Palmer's playing. That is fact. But I'm flabbergasted by that quote. I honestly don't get that. There will be a lot of Chelsea fans reading that thinking, 'Wow! What is he talking about?'”
So far this season, Liverpool and Manchester City have both scored more goals than Chelsea (53), while Arsenal, who are nine points ahead of their fellow capital club, have netted the same amount. Instead, it’s at the back where Arsenal and Chelsea have differed, with the former conceding 24 goals to their rivals’ 37.
Merson continued: “Is Arteta saying that because Chelsea have spent £1.6bn yet haven't got a forward and can't score a goal and fans are moaning at him because Arsenal don't have a forward? Unless Palmer plays, I don't think Chelsea score goals. Everybody can be an attacking and free-flowing team but you've got to get it right at both ends.”
Arsenal will resume play after the international break 12 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool, with just nine matches of the season left to play. Arsenal’s maximum points tally for the remainder of the campaign is 85, meaning Liverpool need just five wins and a draw to confirm the league title.