Paul Merson backing “dangerous animal” Leicester City to beat Arsenal

“Dangerous animal” Leicester City have been backed by Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson to beat Arsenal on Sunday.

The Gunners come into this game on the back of two potentially season-defining defeats.

They were beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace in what was only their second defeat at home before imploding on the road again as Wolverhampton Wanderers blew them away by 3-1.

And former Arsenal player Merson, who generally gets his predictions wrong by the way, thinks there is enough evidence to suggest that Unai Emery’s side will come back empty-handed from a trip for the second time this week. Jamie Vardy leading the way, of course.

Speaking ahead of the game on Sky Sports, he said:

"“I just don’t know with Arsenal,” said Merson.“They go to Napoli, keep a clean sheet against the second-best team in Italy, and then let in six goals in two league games.“You’re watching it and thinking what’s changed? It’s so up and down.“Sometimes you look at it and think the manager does an unbelievable job to get them where they are, but then you look at him playing (Mesut) Ozil and (Henrikh) Mkhitaryan in midfield for Wolves away, which he did at Everton too where they never looked like winning, but the penny didn’t drop.“I’ve got to go for Leicester though.“Jamie Vardy will be too much for the Arsenal defence, they’ve got pace.“Look at Leicester since Brendan has gone there, they find it hard to break teams down.“But when teams like Arsenal come in who are going to have a go, they’re a very dangerous animal.“Arsenal have half an eye on next Thursday as well which doesn’t help.”"

As the saying goes, if you want something to happen, you get Merson to say the opposite. He he has already made his prediction, though, so God knows if Leicester stand a chance anymore. Or do they?

Jokes apart, Arsenal are there for the taking. If you saw them against Wolves, they began well. The movement was good, the passing was crisp and they looked like they were going to run away with a comfortable 2-0 win.

Then they gave away a free-kick and Ruben Neves scored. The moment the ball went in, the visitors were rattled and they were never really in control thereafter.

Like Wolves, Leicester must also try and keep it tight at the back for the opening few minutes and wait for Arsenal to inevitably make a mistake. Remember, one mistake will bring many more and more and more and more.