“Really bad” – Sky Sports pundit offers prediction ahead of Tottenham vs Arsenal

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has made his prediction ahead of today’s North London Derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.

Tottenham head in to the game off the back of consecutive defeats to Burnley and Chelsea so Mauricio Pochettino’s men desperately need to get back to winning ways against their rivals this afternoon.

Not only have Spurs seen their title challenge derailed, but the 2-0 loss at Chelsea in midweek has seen then dragged back in to the top four race with fifth-placed Manchester United now just five points behind.

Fourth-placed Arsenal can close the gap on Tottenham to just one point with a win today which would blow the race for Champions League qualification wide open, so it’s all to play for at Wembley this lunchtime.

Merson has slammed Spurs for their ‘really bad’ performance against Chelsea on Wednesday night while he questions whether Harry Kane is fully-fit following his disappointing display at Stamford Bridge.

The pundit – who represented Arsenal for 12 years during his playing days – says the pressure is off his former side and is backing the Gunners to secure a 2-2 draw against Tottenham this afternoon.

Writing in his Sky Sports column, Merson said:

Tottenham were really bad on Wednesday, poor. If you’d have just come over to visit England and gone to watch Chelsea vs Tottenham, and you went to see Harry Kane because he’s supposed to be one of the best in the world, you wouldn’t believe it.

I’ve seen people have bad games, but he didn’t do anything in the entire game. Nothing. I was shocked. I don’t know if he’s still carrying his injury or what.

I don’t think Tottenham are playing well, and the pressure is off Arsenal going into this. Tottenham have to draw this game otherwise they’re going to be pulled into the top four battle.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2

A draw would maintain Tottenham’s advantage over Arsenal in the table but it would be a great result for Man Utd as they could move back in to the top four with a win over Bournemouth at Old Trafford this afternoon.