Paul Merson expects Mikel Arteta to stick with Raheem Sterling in his starting XI for Arsenal’s ‘must-win’ match against West Ham, despite the forward’s ineffective performance at Leicester.
Though wary of the threat West Ham pose on the counter-attack, Merson predicts second-placed Arsenal will come away from Saturday’s all-London affair with a 1-0 victory.
Merino’s late heroics have inevitably led to calls for the Spaniard to be given the nod from the start for this weekend’s London derby – but Merson believes Arteta will resist the urge to make changes up top at the Emirates.
I thought Arsenal struggled against Leicester until Mikel Merino scored two very good late goals.
‘West Ham will come out and frustrate Arsenal in this game, plus the Hammers have the firepower in the form of players who can pick you off,’ he continued.
