Paul Merson did not hold back when assessing Leeds' survival prospects. (Credit: Imago)
Paul Merson has never been shy about giving his opinion on football, and that is part of what makes him an entertaining pundit. But sometimes a take is so hard to defend that you have to wonder whether he’s properly thought it through.
His latest comments ahead of Leeds United’s trip to Arsenal on Saturday fall into that category.
With Daniel Farke’s side heading to the Emirates to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season, there has been plenty of discussion about whether the timing could work in their favour.
Merson believes it could. The problem is that his argument falls apart when you look at what both teams are facing.
Merson’s Leeds claim does not stand up to scrutiny
Speaking about Arsenal’s preparations after the international break, Merson suggested that the short turnaround could give Leeds an advantage ahead of the early kick-off.
He said on Sky Sports: “A lot of players go away on international duty at Arsenal. They probably came back yesterday for a quick warm-up.
“They literally get today and a little bit tomorrow running through set-plays and patterns, then they’re kicking off at 12:30 on Saturday morning. It’s a bit of a leveller, a bit of an advantage for Leeds.”
There is a reasonable argument that an early kick-off after an international break can disrupt preparations. But presenting it as an advantage for Leeds ignores one important detail: Farke has faced the same problem.
Leeds have had their own international headache
Leeds also had 13 players away on international duty during the break. Their manager has therefore faced the same challenge: bringing players back together, managing workloads, and preparing for a demanding Premier League fixture with limited time on the training pitch.
Why should Arsenal’s international absences count as a disadvantage while Leeds’ are apparently irrelevant?
If anything, the situation levels the playing field for both teams. Neither manager has enjoyed the luxury of having his full squad available throughout the break, and both have had to work around players travelling, playing matches and returning at different times.
Merson’s argument would carry more weight if Leeds had spent the international break training together while Arsenal’s squad was scattered around the world. That simply was not the case.
Farke has had his own preparations disrupted, and there is no obvious reason to think his side are better equipped to handle the situation.
An early kick-off at the Emirates is hardly a Leeds advantage
Then there is the venue.
This isn’t a match at Elland Road, where Leeds could feed off their home crowd and make life uncomfortable for Arsenal. It is an early kick-off at the Emirates, with Arsenal playing in front of their own supporters.
The timing might not be ideal for either side, but calling it an advantage for the visitors is a stretch. Arsenal know their surroundings, have the quality to control games at home and will be expected to dictate the tempo against Leeds.
Of course, Leeds can make life difficult. Farke’s team have shown enough in their opening five league matches to suggest they should not be underestimated, and their unbeaten start deserves respect.
But that is a different argument altogether. Leeds have a chance because they have organised players, attacking threat and the ability to compete, not because Arsenal have somehow been handed a uniquely difficult preparation schedule.
Merson is entitled to back Leeds to cause an upset. What is harder to justify is dressing up a challenge shared by both teams as a special advantage for one of them.
If the pundit wants to argue that Leeds can get a result at the Emirates, there are far better reasons to make that case.