Paul Merson has lavished praise on two Arsenal players, describing them as 'like new signings' for Mikel Arteta as the Gunners close in on the Premier League title. The former Arsenal midfielder also shared his prediction for Sunday's crucial London derby against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Merson's Title Race Prediction
Arsenal travel to east London needing a victory to maintain their lead over Manchester City in the title race. Merson believes this fixture represents City's last hope of seeing Arsenal slip up. 'This game is definitely the last hope for Manchester City in terms of Arsenal slipping up in the title race again,' Merson told Sportskeeda. 'After this, Arsenal have Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the final day of the season. If Palace reach the Conference League final, they will definitely rest all their main players against Arsenal.'
Merson expects a comfortable win for the Gunners, predicting a 2-0 scoreline. 'West Ham will know this is a tough game. They have to come out and play since they are trailing Spurs. I don't think that will suit them against Arsenal,' he added.
Praise for Saka and Lewis-Skelly
Merson highlighted the impact of Bukayo Saka and young midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly, who have both impressed in recent weeks. 'Bukayo Saka looks fresh, Myles Lewis-Skelly has been incredible in the last couple of games,' Merson said. 'The thing is, Lewis-Skelly hasn't played 50 or 60 games like Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi. He provides fresh legs in midfield at a crucial stage of the season. Both Saka and Lewis-Skelly have been like new signings for Arsenal in this final run-in for the title.'
Lewis-Skelly, a product of Arsenal's academy, has seen limited action this season but started in the recent Premier League win over Fulham and the Champions League semi-final victory against Atletico Madrid. Saka, who returned from injury after a difficult mid-season period, has scored in both of those matches.
Sutton's View on Saka's Return
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton echoed Merson's sentiments, emphasising Saka's importance to Arsenal's attacking threat. 'Arsenal look like a totally different proposition on the attacking front now Bukayo Saka is back in the team,' Sutton told BBC Sport. 'It is going to be hard for West Ham to keep them out, and it doesn't help the Hammers that they desperately need a victory here after losing last weekend while all the teams around them won.'
Sutton acknowledged that a draw would not be disastrous for West Ham in isolation, but noted that depending on Tottenham's result against Leeds, they could find themselves further adrift. 'Arsenal have had big wins at London Stadium in each of the past two seasons. I don't see them sticking five or six in again this time, but I also don't see them slipping up,' he added.
Previous Meeting
Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over West Ham in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season, with goals from Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
