Arsenal legend Paul Merson backs Tottenham Hotspur to clinch the prized fourth spot in the English Premier League this season.
According to Sky Sports, Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes the Gunners’ north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, are best-placed to finish fourth come to the end of the Premier League season.
Antonio Conte’s arrival has breathed fresh life into a Spurs side that looked a lost cause under Nuno Espirito Santo. The Lilywhites are currently in the fourth spot and have a real shot at securing qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Tottenham currently sit pretty in the fourth spot, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. West Ham United and Manchester United are three points behind and still retain hopes of grabbing the spot for themselves.
With just a handful of games left this season, the race for the top four looks set to go down to the wire. But former Arsenal star turned pundit, Paul Merson, believes that Tottenham hold the trump card going into the final run-up.
A key aspect that shapes Merson’s verdict is the form of Tottenham ace Harry Kane. The England skipper appears to have returned to his best and is scoring and assisting for fun. He might not have gotten on the scoresheet against Newcastle United at the weekend, but the 5-1 demolition on the night was his doing.
“Spurs are the favourites for top four now. When Harry Kane’s playing like he is, I don’t think too many teams are going to beat them. I saw him go to the Etihad and rip Manchester City apart. I saw him rip West Ham apart, I saw him rip Newcastle apart,” Merson said.
While the Arsenal legend backed Tottenham, he also added that the Lilywhites would fall short if they take Kane out of the equation. In essence, the north Londoners have been classified as a one-person team where Kane’s presence can make or break their fortunes.
“You take Kane out of the team, top four ain’t happening for Spurs. It’s as simple as that. When he doesn’t turn up at Burnley away, they get beaten. Tottenham are a one-man team and that’s not being disrespectful.”
Kane and, to a large extent, Son Heung-Min have been instrumental to Tottenham’s success in recent years, and one has to agree with Merson’s comments. While Son can be replaced to an extent, the lack of a second striker at the club makes Kane’s potential absence untenable.
Arsenal have a game in hand over Tottenham at this point, but with the north London Derby still to come, the Lilywhites can feel optimistic about their chances. The top four race promises to be a roller coaster ride in the coming weeks.
