Paul Merson claims Mikel Arteta still can't fix Arsenal issue - 'He can't get it right'

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Paul Merson claims that Mikel Arteta still can’t fix Arsenal ’s striker conundrum - even thought the Gunners are flying high at the top of the Premier League and now red-hot favourites to win the title.

The North Londoners sit nine points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table ahead of their meeting with Liverpool on Sunday. Arsenal continued their push for the title on Saturday with a 3-0 win against Sunderland - Viktor Gyokeres scoring twice following Martin Zubimendi’s opener.

The Swedish forward now has 13 goals in all competitions for Mikel Arteta’s side across what has been a mixed debut season. He had come off the bench in place of Gabriel Jesus against Sunderland , with Merson suggesting that Arteta still has issues when it comes to selecting his starting forward.

Speaking on Sky Sports , he said: “He just can’t get it right at the moment Arteta with what to do. If he plays Jesus like he did against Manchester United and he struggled.

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“Then the week after he plays Gyokeres and he struggles then Jesus comes on. This time Jesus plays, he struggles then Gyokeres comes on and scores. It’s a real hard one in terms of what to do at the moment because whoever starts doesn’t really perform, it’s the one who comes on as sub.

"Both of them are very hardworking, they grind down defenders. When the other one comes on with 20 minutes to go the centre halves are tired and beaten up."

One forward who has been in positive form for Arsenal is Kai Havertz : the German has netted twice since returning from a knee injury, his decisive strike against Chelsea securing Arsenal a spot in the Carabao Cup final.

He was tasked with a slightly different role against Sunderland, having been deployed in midfield in the absence of Mikel Merino. And Merson was full of praise for Havertz’ performance against the Black Cats.

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He added: “It’s just his calmness on the ball,’ said Merson, in praise of Havertz’s impact on the team.

“With him in midfield, they don’t have a lot of goalscorers in there so you put him there he gives you those goals. He’s very calm, very relaxed, picks out Gyokeres for his first goal. He’s a good footballer.”

Arsenal will be aiming to continue their push for the title in midweek as they take on Brentford ahead of a FA Cup fourth round clash with League One outfit Wigan Athletic.

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