Champions League: Merson fears for Arsenal over Real Madrid star
Former Arsenal attacker, Paul Merson, has expressed worries about Kylian Mbappé ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
DAILY POST reports that Arsenal will be having the services of their main man, Bukayo Saka, who returned to fitness ahead of the first leg of the tie.
Saka returned to fitness after spending four months on the sidelines due to a serious hamstring injury.
However, their defensive backbone, Gabriel Magalhães, won’t be available for the game and for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury.
In his place, Jakub Kiwior has been deployed by Mikel Arteta as centre-back.
However, Merson is not convinced that Kiwior can fill Magalhães’s boots.
He is of the opinion that Real Madrid talisman Mbappé will cause problems for the Gunners’ defence, particularly Kiwior.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the pundit said: “I thought it was a 50:50 chance when Bukayo Saka came back from injury. But now with Gabriel being injured, I say 25 per cent.
“If you had a choice between Saka and Gabriel for these two legs, you would pick Gabriel. It’s a big ask for Jakub Kiwior, if he is the one to start. Jurrien Timber has only played at centre-back once or twice, while Ben White has been out a long time.
“You’re asking someone who hardly plays – because he’s not as good as the other two – to come into a Champions League quarter-final. Kiwior is alright, but he’s not Arsenal.
“And you’re asking Kiwior to mark him. Kylian Mbappé, the best in the world or at least in the top three alongside Harry Kane and Erling Haaland. He plays on the shoulder and if he gets through, I just don’t see anybody catching him.”
Champions League: Merson fears for Arsenal over Real Madrid star
