Merson says Arsenal lack the attacking edge for a Champions League challenge
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes Arsenal have the squad to win the Premier League but are missing a high-impact forward capable of changing elite Champions League matches.
Arsenal have the strength to win the Premier League but lack the attacking quality to reach Champions League-winning level, according to Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.
Merson said Arsenal needed an “X factor” forward to provide an edge against Europe’s strongest teams. He cited Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez as examples of the type of player who could have lifted the squad, without suggesting either was a confirmed Arsenal target.
He praised Kai Havertz for his work rate, decision-making and overall contribution, but said the forward was unlikely to score 20 goals in a season. Merson argued that Havertz could help Arsenal win the Premier League while questioning whether the attack had enough pace and threat for the latter stages of the Champions League.
Merson said Arsenal’s defence and wider squad were “immense” and difficult to break down. He pointed to the team’s control of Chelsea after conceding early as evidence of its defensive strength, while maintaining that Arsenal lacked a forward who would unsettle elite opponents.
Reflecting on Arsenal’s previous Champions League campaign and defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the final, Merson said Arsenal’s lack of forward pace allowed PSG to restrict their attacking play.
He also said Arsenal should not lose away to Napoli, describing the Italian side as beatable after Chelsea won there in Europe. The match result was not included in Sky Sports’ assessment.
