Back to the United States Newsfeed

‘Arsenal could have Maldini & Baresi & still leak goals' – Merson sees top-four challenge a ‘few years’ away

Arsenal remain “too open”, says Paul Merson, with Mikel Arteta warned that he could have Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi at his disposal and still concede goals with the way the Gunners are currently set up.

Attacking spark is not an issue for those at Emirates Stadium, with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil proven performers at the highest level.

Defensive leaks have been difficult to plug, though, with questionable transfer deals and confusing tactical messages resulting in a long-standing problem still holding Arsenal back.

Editors' Picks

Merson believes that will remain the case for as long as the Gunners try to entertain rather than address their obvious failings, with a return to contention for top-four finishes likely to remain “a few years” off as a result.