Champions League: Paul Merson predicts PSV vs Arsenal, tells Arteta to drop Merino

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson has backed the Gunners to go through to the Champions League quarter-final ahead of PSV.

Merson also urged Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to drop Mikel Merino from the starting line-up and play Raheem Sterling.

PSV will host Arsenal in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg tie on Tuesday night.

Writing in his column for Sky Sports, Merson said, “This would be a nice draw for Arsenal if they had a full team but with no firepower now, I don’t see them blowing PSV away.

“It’s turned into a tricky tie. Arsenal have failed to score in their last two games and they only scored against Leicester, who have been letting goals in for fun, in the last 10 minutes.

”I hope Mikel Arteta stops playing Mikel Merino up front. I can’t get my head around that one. I know he came on against Leicester and scored twice but Leicester are Leicester, they’re not very good.

“I would play Raheem Sterling up front. He is lively. Defenders will be happy to play against Merino every day of the week. He’s not a centre forward. At least Sterling’s played up there before.

“This is going to be a dangerous game. I’d expect Arsenal to go through but I don’t think it’s as much of a foregone conclusion as what it was. I can see it going a long way.’’

Champions League: Paul Merson predicts PSV vs Arsenal, tells Arteta to drop Merino