Chelsea man slammed for missing 'sitter' against Arsenal - Paul Merson says he will have nightmares tonight

Chelsea defender Malo Gusto was on the receiving end of some harsh criticism from Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson at half time during the meeting with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.

The two sides went into the break at 0-0 but Enzo Maresca’s men perhaps should have been 1-0 up. At one moment in the first half, Pedro Neto went on a blistering run on the flank and fooled Ben White with some neat footwork before whipping a ball into the box.

It was Gusto who was the man whose head the pin-point cross fell on but somehow the defender wasn’t able to convert the golden chance. Speaking during the break, former Chelsea manager Graham Potter tried to sympathise with the player but Merson did not take the same approach.

The former Arsenal man said: “It’s a sitter. He’s got to score that chance. As soon as he gets in there, he has to score. It’s an absolute sitter. That’s the kind of chance in bed tonight, you’re laying there thinking how did I miss that? It’s hit the top of his head, sometimes it’s too high but it’s not for him.”

Potter, who hasn’t worked in management since leaving Chelsea last year, had reasoned that Gusto may have been put off by a physical duel in the penalty box. Before Merson’s criticism, the ex Blues manager said: “He’ll be disappointed that he hasn’t hit the target. It’s fantastic wing play here, unbelievable.

“Credit to Gusto, because that’s what he’s in the team for, to get into the box and attack the back line. As it’s coming across he’s taken his eye off the ball and is looking at the ground, hoping it hits his head and goes in. He’s had to wrestle the guy in fairness to him, which is why he’s maybe taken his eye of it.”