Paul Merson says he has extra likelihood of profitable Strictly Come Dancing than Tottenham profitable silverware this season after Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou doubled down on his claims that he wins silverware in his second season at a membership.
Gabriel Magalhaes’s header secured the Gunners a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Spurs, who’ve gained only one out of their opening 4 matches and sit within the backside half of the desk.
The shape is a stark distinction from Postecoglou’s pre-season feedback the place he mentioned he “usually” wins trophies in his second season, however now, the Spurs boss has amended his assertion, saying he “always” wins trophies in his second season, in a touch that he ensures success this season.
“I’ll correct myself: I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed,” Postecoglou advised Sky Sports activities.
“I don’t say things I don’t believe in.”
Requested about Postecoglou’s feedback and Spurs’ probabilities of silverware this season on Tremendous Sunday, Merson, who began his Strictly Come Dancing journey on Saturday night time, responded: “I like Ange, I like him. However I’ve acquired extra likelihood of profitable Strictly [than Ange winning something in his second season]!
“That’s what chance they have got. I don’t see it at the moment.”
“There’s not a lot wrong, but if you look at them and look at Newcastle, Tottenham have been playing better over the first three games – but Newcastle have more points than them. These are fine lines.
“In the event that they get prime 4, that may be wonderful. They’ll want Solanke to get 20 targets, and also you solely get 20 targets if the crossing improves. If that do not enhance, you could possibly put Haaland up there and he would not get 20.
They’re both kicking a medication ball or a balloon. It’s one or the opposite. It’s both going nowhere or going miles over everyone. I’ve by no means seen crossing prefer it.
He added: “I don’t think it’s better than last season to watch. Last season was better than this season. They were mind-blowing. As a neutral, I do like watching Tottenham, I like Ange, they play entertaining football – but some of the big players need to step up.
“James Maddison wasn’t nice on Sunday, he has acquired to step up. He is acquired to be higher. He is taking part in ready the place you have to make issues occur. I do not personally suppose he did that on Sunday and taking a look at who he was taking part in up towards, he must be higher. I am not digging him out as a result of I am an enormous fan of his, however I’ve performed that place and know that he must do higher.”
‘Arsenal’s defensive file reveals simply how good Man Metropolis are’
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was stuffed with reward for his facet’s defensive show after they edged previous Tottenham Hotspur to win 1-0.
In the meantime, Arsenal’s victory, their third in a row on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ensures Mikel Arteta’s facet stay inside two factors of champions Manchester Metropolis forward of subsequent Sunday’s blockbuster showdown on the Etihad Stadium, which is reside on Sky Sports activities.#
Arsenal have now gained 10 of their 11 away video games in 2024 with their solely draw coming away at champions Man Metropolis. Arteta’s facet have conceded simply three targets on their travels this yr they put together to face Erling Haaland and co, and Merson believes his former facet can now go to the Etihad stuffed with confidence after victory over Spurs.
“Huge, huge result,” Merson advised Sky Sports activities.
“They were missing two of their big, big players and they came to Tottenham, their arch enemies and won this game – and comfortably really. I heard Son said they dominated; they probably did but never looked like scoring. They had a couple of half chances, that’s not enough. The crossing wasn’t good enough.
“The gamers that got here in for Arsenal – it is laborious to return in. Jorginho hasn’t performed for a very long time. However all of them got here in and did their jobs. If a type of gamers get lazy, Tottenham undergo you want a knife by butter. Their set-up was wonderful they usually counter attacked, and had been good at set performs. One nil to the Arsenal.
Sunday twenty second September 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
“Now they can go to the Etihad Stadium full of confidence.
“Everyone would have been watching at the moment, the entire of the Premier League, once they had been lacking Odegaard and Rice. I wasn’t as bullish this time spherical.
“However now this league is a heads or tails this yr. I at all times thought: who’s going to be sufficient to beat Man Metropolis over 38 video games. I see sufficient for Arsenal to be there. Arsenal have each likelihood of profitable this Premier League.
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Gary Neville thinks Mikel Arteta is on the coattails of Pep Guardiola and Arsenal are severe contenders for the Premier League title.
He added: “I would play Jorginho next week. When Man City go after you, he plays that quick pass. He’s got great vision, he gets on the half turn and passes that ball. That’s what you need to do. You have to get past the press, if you don’t it’s a long day at Manchester City. They go after you, they all know where they’re going. Jorginho was excellent against Man City at the Emirates, can he do it at the Etihad?
“That graphic [on Arsenal’s protection tells you one factor and one factor solely: that is how good Man Metropolis are. In the event you’re not profitable the league and you’ve got an away file like that, it tells you the way good Man Metropolis. We by no means give them that credit score: Man Metropolis are that, that good. It is that scary. Placing up these figures is unreal.”
Watch Man Metropolis vs Arsenal reside on Sky Sports activities subsequent Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm
