‘Outclassed’ - Arsenal legend Merson hits out at ‘embarrassing’ Tottenham Hotspur after North London derby

Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes ‘it didn’t take Einstein’ to see his former club would claim a win at arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

The former Gunners forward was in a confident mood as he took his place on Sky Sports’ punditry team ahead of the game and was described as ‘brash’ by Super Sunday presenter David Jones. However, Merson’s confidence was well-placed as Mikel Arteta’s side took a two-goal lead into half-time after putting in a dominant display during the opening 45 minutes.

Spurs improved slightly after the interval and the Gunners were grateful to man of the match Aaron Ramsdale as he made a number of saves to deny the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min to preserve his clean sheet and ensure his side moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Merson described Antonio Conte’s side as ‘embarrassing to the highest level’ after they fell to a first home defeat in a North London derby since March 2014 and believes the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager got his tactics wrong against the in-form Gunners.

When asked why he was so confident ahead of the game, he told Sky Sports: “It’s just the way Arsenal have been playing and Tottenham have been playing.

“It didn’t take Einstein to work that out. Tottenham have been letting in two goals every week and Arsenal are playing the best football they’ve played in many a year. They’re top of the league, they’re flying along, they’re beating records, they’re on a roll and I just couldn’t see it with Tottenham.

“They play three at the back, two holding midfield players, and every week they are letting in goals. I don’t know how you get away with it. It’s unbelievable, bar the Palace game, which if Palace had Harry Kane they would have won 4-0 that day. You can’t keep on turning it on and off like a tap. People forget the first-half, it was embarrassing to the highest level. The last one (North London derby) when Arsenal got steamrollered, it wasn’t really like that, they were just outclassed.”