Paul Merson predicts Leeds United will be ripped to shreds by Arsenal on Sunday
Paul Merson has predicted a painful day at Elland Road on Sunday for Leeds United, as he expects Arsenal to overcome a fast start by the home side to then “rip them to shreds”.
The Gunners come in top of the league after a major improvement this season under Mikel Arteta, while the Whites’ own strong start to the season has somewhat deserted them, now without a win in five games.
Merson is very impressed with his former side currently, and has tipped them to win 3-0 in West Yorkshire, saying he would be “shocked” if United get anything out of the game.
In his weekly predictions column for Sportskeeda the Sky Sports pundit said: “You’ve got to give credit where it’s due – Arsenal have played very well this season.
“Over the years, you just wouldn’t know if they’d win this match. I’d be shocked if they don’t win this weekend, and I haven’t had that feeling in several years.
“Leeds will jump out of the blocks at a hundred miles an hour, but Arsenal will eventually take over and rip them to shreds.”
Sobering
On current form there is an uneasy feeling heading into this one that it could be a very uncomfortable afternoon on Sunday (16 October).
Since the 3-0 conquering of Chelsea back on 21 August, where everything came together to illustrate Jesse Marsch’s ideas for this team at their best, nothing has really come close.
Questions are starting to be asked of the manager again with the club sitting in 14th, albeit having played a game fewer than most of the teams around them.
It may be that the American coach and some of the players are currently victims of raising expectations too high with their beginning to the campaign, and particularly the win over Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Considering it was only five months ago that they came within 90 minutes of dropping out of the Premier League all together, things are perhaps not so dreadful.
But it has to be said there hasn’t been much to shout about for weeks now, with a month out of action being followed by a frustrating goalless draw with Aston Villa (2 October), and then a loss at Crystal Palace last weekend (9 October).
It would calm things considerably if the Whites were to get something from this match, but confidence in that reality can’t be too high, and should Merson’s prediction come to pass it will be very unpleasant all round.
In other Leeds United news, a major Elland Road exit now looks to be off amid a high profile pursuit in the Premier League.