Featured Image Credit: Alamy / Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Paul Merson, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Arteta
Ryan Smart
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Paul Merson, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Arteta
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has named the one Gunners star he believes has been 'unbelievable' for manager Mikel Arteta since joining the club.
Arteta's side take on Crystal Palace on Sunday, looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points.
Their nearest rivals, Manchester City, play in the FA Cup this weekend, meaning they can't respond until the next gameweek.
Arsenal will face an Eagles side that are currently managerless, the club having parted company with Gunners legend Patrick Vieira on Friday morning.
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Former Palace defender Paddy McCarthy will take the reins, stepping up from his role as U21s manager.
It will be a tough task for him to guide a team without a win in 11 league games to pick up anything from the Emirates, but it certainly isn't a game Arsenal can take lightly.
Arsenal will need their attacking players to be on good form at the Emirates, with Arteta's side likely to have plenty of the ball to create opportunities.
And one player who could start at centre forward is Leandro Trossard, with the Belgian having starred in that role during last week's 3-0 win over Fulham.
He provided three assists in the first half - the first player to produce such a feat in an away game in Premier League history - and Merson is impressed with what he has brought to the side since joining from Brighton in January.
Merson explained to Sportskeeda: "Leandro Trossard is another player I've been really impressed by - what an unbelievable signing he's turning out to be for £28 million!
"He ticks many boxes and I think he'll get into the Manchester City team tomorrow."
Merson also reserved praise for Gunners captain Martin Odegaard and winger Bukayo Saka, who he believes have been Arsenal's standout stars this campaign.
"The Arsenal captain has led from the front and produced the goods consistently, while Saka has scored some big goals for Mikel Arteta.
"I like players who show up in big games to score the opening goal or the winner and Saka has done exactly that this season."