Paul Merson believes Arsenal are favourites ahead of their North London Derby with Tottenham on Sunday.
The Gunners welcome their biggest rivals having taken a big step towards the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday with a 3-1 away win over Olympiacos.
But they will go up against a Tottenham side on a five-game winning run and back in with a shot of making the top four, five points behind Chelsea with a game in-hand.
Arsenal will be looking to spoil those hopes, and according to former player turned pundit Merson, they are favourites to do so due to four key players.
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“I think Arsenal are favourites against them this weekend. I really do. If both teams play to the best of their ability I think Arsenal win the game,” Merson wrote in his Daily Star column.
“I think their passing and movement is better. Spurs rely too much on Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, and lately Gareth Bale.
“Arsenal are a different team to the one Spurs beat in December. Bukayo Saka is playing really well. Willian looks like he has turned a corner. Nicolas Pepe had his best game yet against Leicester.
“And Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is scoring goals again and looks much more confident. Arsenal will have to keep the back door shut, but I give them every chance in this game.”
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When the two sides met earlier this season, Tottenham won 2-0 thanks to goals from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, a duo Arsenal will be wary of again here.
But while Tottenham remain favourites on paper, despite Merson’s claim, much has changed since the last meeting with Arsenal recovering from their dire start, even if not to the level they will have wished, still 10th in the table.