Arsenal legend Paul Merson has backed his previous membership to bounce again from their UEFA Champions League setback and bag a snug 3-1 victory of their Premier League assembly with Newcastle United.
Arsenal Obtained UEFA Champions League Actuality Examine At Porto
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal made the journey to Estadio do Dragao for the primary leg of their UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 conflict with FC Porto on Wednesday night time (February 21). The Gunners, who had scored 11 targets of their earlier two Premier League outings, did not lodge a single shot on the right track in opposition to Porto and succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.
Wenderson Galeno scored the decisive objective for the Primeira Liga outfit in harm time (90+4′).
Paul Merson Predicts Simple Win For Gunners, Says Bukayo Saka May Have A ‘Discipline Day’
Arsenal will look to place that defeat within the rearview mirror after they host Newcastle United on Saturday night time (February 24). A whopping 18 factors separate the 2 groups within the Premier League, and Paul Merson is assured that the north Londoners will push it to 21 after Matchday 26.
In his column for Sportskeeda, the two-time English champion wrote:
“Arsenal suffered an enormous blow final night time. They final gained a European trophy 30 years in the past. It simply reveals you the way exhausting European competitions actually are – you want the expertise. They’d loads of the ball away from residence, however they didn’t actually know what to do with it. I’m undecided why they modified the away-goals rule – you’re now going to get video games like this as a result of groups will go right into a shell of their away matches.
“I don’t assume their European setback will have an effect on Arsenal this weekend. Newcastle have been inconsistent just lately however have managed to stay unbeaten of their final 5 matches. They’re scoring targets, however they’re conceding far too many targets as properly. They can not go to Arsenal this weekend and defend like that – they’ll get destroyed.”
Merson concluded by including:
“Newcastle’s defence is struggling in the mean time, however they don’t have a lot to play for. I like watching them play as a result of they open video games up, however they don’t wish to try this in opposition to Arsenal – it may get messy. Bukayo Saka may have a area day on this fixture, and I count on Arsenal to win this recreation comfortably.”
Merson’s prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
Eddie Howe’s facet, who’re in eighth place within the league rankings, gained 1-0 in opposition to third-placed Arsenal within the reverse fixture again in November. All through historical past, they’ve met 192 instances, with Arsenal profitable 84, Newcastle 69, and the 2 taking part in out 39 attracts.
