Paul Merson makes nervous score prediction for Tottenham vs Arsenal: ‘I won’t be shocked’

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Paul Merson is not very confident about what will unfold at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday between Spurs and Arsenal.

A week and a half ago, most pundits and even Spurs fans would have chalked off the derby as an easy win for Arsenal.

However, things have changed massively since then, with the Lilywhites sacking Thomas Frank and bringing Igor Tudor in for the rest of the season.

The managerial change has been met with a positive reaction from the Spurs fan base, and one would thus expect the supporters to get behind the home side on Sunday.

Paul Merson admits Tottenham v Arsenal is very hard to predict

Additionally, Arsenal come into this game wounded and slightly lacking in confidence after throwing away a two-goal lead against Wolves.

Merson expects the away side to edge out their fierce rivals, but he admitted that he would not be surprised if Tottenham got a result.

When asked to predict the result of the North London derby, the former Arsenal midfielder told Sportskeeda: “I’m sitting here and I don’t know what happens in this game! I thought I’d never say that, but it is what it is. It was one of Arsenal’s worst-ever games against Wolves. There were no patterns of play and they never looked like their usual self.

“Tottenham have a new manager and it’s basically a free swing for them in the derby now. If Tottenham lose, no one cares. The pressure is on Arsenal and if Newcastle lose to City, it just adds to it.

“I find it strange that Eberechi Eze did not start as the no.10 against Wolves. He was brought in to do that. Then why did he not start the game? Mikel Arteta used Bukayo Saka as a no.10 instead. He’s not suited to play there because he’s a proper winger.

“Noni Madueke also started against Wolves and he’s very hot and cold. He will do something amazing and the next thing he does would make you go, ‘why did he do that?’. Madueke is very direct but he has to mix it up. You can’t be direct all the time. He has still done better than what I expected this season though.

“I won’t be surprised if Saka goes to the wing and Eze comes on for Madueke in this game. For me, Eze has to play as the no.10 against Spurs. He’s good in tight spaces and is better than Saka in that role. I’m expecting Arsenal to win but I won’t be shocked if they failed to either. It just seems like they can’t open teams up anymore.”

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Arsenal.

Igor Tudor has told Spurs fans what to expect on Sunday

Tudor has promised Tottenham fans that his side will be brave on Sunday, which will come as a relief to the supporters, who have been frustrated with the team’s lack of attacking intent this season, especially at home.

The Croat’s first job will be to instil some belief in the Spurs players, whose confidence has taken a battering this season.

A result against Arsenal will certainly help with that, but the Croat is walking in at a time when Tottenham are in the middle of a major injury crisis, making his job even harder.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
14	BrightonBrighton	26	7	10	9	34	34	0	31
15	LeedsLeeds	26	7	9	10	36	45	-9	30
16	TottenhamTottenham	26	7	8	11	36	37	-1	29
17	Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest	26	7	6	13	25	38	-13	27
18	West HamWest Ham	26	6	6	14	32	49	-17	24

• READ MORE: Tottenham discover North London derby referee: Arsenal have 70% win rate under him