Paul Merson reveals ‘worry’ for Arsenal next season and urges Mikel Arteta to sign new striker

Paul Merson is ‘worried’ for Arsenal’s prospects next season (Picture: Sky Sports)

Paul Merson has revealed his ‘worry’ for Arsenal next season and urged Mikel Arteta to sign a ‘pacey’ striker this summer.

Despite winning 25 of their 35 league games this term and amassing 80 points, Arsenal could still fall short in the title race.

The Gunners will reach 89 points if they win their final three games but the Premier League trophy is in Manchester City’s hands, with Pep Guardiola’s side set to finish on 91 points if they win their remaining fixtures.

Arsenal were pipped to the post by Man City last season and Merson is concerned what another title blow would do to Arteta’s side.

‘Fair play to Arsenal, you’ve got to win games and they have gone to Spurs and won,’ Merson told Sky Sports after Arsenal’s north London derby win.

‘One of the main things about this victory is it is for the fans. It’s such an important game to the Arsenal supporters and the players got the job done.

‘What worries me, and I see Arsenal winning their next three games, is what happens if they do that but still don’t win the league? I don’t know how that will affect this Arsenal team for next season.

‘Last year, they came into this season, and everyone said they melted. They had something to prove and could go again.

‘Winning the next three games but not winning the league, they might start thinking what else can they do?’

Merson cannot see Manchester City dropping any more points, meaning they would go on to win a record fourth successive Premier League title at the expense of Arsenal.

The ex-Gunners star struggles to see where Arsenal can still improve but says Arteta should try to sign a rapid striker this summer to play through the middle.

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Arsenal have been linked with moves for Ivan Toney, Alexander Isak and Ollie Watkins recently, with Gabriel Jesus only contributing four goals in the Premier League this season.

Merson added: ‘The other problem Arsenal have is how do they improve again next season?

‘It’s a bit like Tottenham a few years back. They had an unbelievable starting line-up but we all said they had to keep improving.

‘They had Harry Kane. If they wanted to sign a striker for £60m he wasn’t coming to just sit on the bench.

‘I do like Kai Havertz. He’s a top-drawer player, but I do feel like they need real electric pace up front that can turn it on for Arsenal.

‘Look at Haaland, he came on at Forest and the defence couldn’t believe it. Arsenal haven’t really got that and they lost against Aston Villa because they didn’t have it.’

Arsenal continue their Premier League title challenge next weekend with a home match against Bournemouth, who climbed to 10th in the Premier League after beating Brighton 3-0 at the weekend.

The Gunners host Bournemouth in Saturday’s early kick-off meaning they could move four points ahead of Man City before they face Wolves at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the day.

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