Arsenal legend, Paul Merson has said that he can’t make a case for Mikel Arteta’s side beating Chelsea when both teams clash in the Premier League on Boxing Day at Emirates Stadium.
Merson also slammed Arsenal star, Willian, describing the Brazilian as ‘shocking’ and a shadow of his former self.
Arsenal head to the game after losing 4-1 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.
“I cannot make a case for Arteta’s side,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“You would be shocked if Arsenal won [against Chelsea], and that’s where this has got to. That can’t be right.
“I can’t even make a case for Arsenal winning. I watched them against Southampton, and I was thinking how many Arsenal players would get into the Saints team.
“Burnley went to the Emirates and fancied it, Wolves went there and experimented! They played four at the back which they never did before.
“Of course, confidence isn’t great at Arsenal, and that can play a major part.”
He added, “He’s been shocking. I am a big fan of Willian, and at Chelsea he was unbelievable.
“At times, he was unplayable, but he is a shadow of his former self, and I don’t know what it is.
“He’s the only one you can ask, and again it must come down to confidence. I am not sure he will play.
“He’s had enough chances to play, more than the other younger players.
“Arsenal’s big-name players haven’t been performing over the past six weeks or so, and this is the problem Arteta has been having.
“[Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang scored the other day, but he’s not really look like scoring.
“His body language hasn’t been great, Nicolas Pepe is not even starting all the time, and Willian just looks like he’s being carried.”
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