'Arsenal played into Liverpool's hands' at Anfield, says Paul Merson
Thursday 14 January 2016 21:27, UK
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has criticised Arsene Wenger's late substitution in Arsenal's 3-3 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday, claiming it cost them two points.
The visitors were leading 3-2 when Wenger opted to introduce holding midfielder Mikel Arteta in place of playmaker Mesut Ozil for the closing stages at Anfield.
However, Merson - who played for Arsenal between 1985 and 1997 - says the Frenchman would have been better served going in search of a fourth goal by bringing on another striker for the final three minutes plus stoppage time.
Instead, Arteta came on to help Arsenal protect their one-goal lead, only for Liverpool to earn a point through Joe Allen's late strike, a goal that cost the Gunners sole leadership of the Premier League.
"It was a bad draw for them," Merson told Sky Sports News HQ. "When you are winning 3-2 with not very long to go, it is a bad draw. I did not think they were great, it was a good game, but bad defending from both sides. They started off poorly, and then to hit the front, they should have held on.
"I thought Arsene Wenger's substitution was not very good - he took off Ozil and brought on Arteta and I thought at 3-2 up, probably put another forward on because they are chasing the game and then Arsenal could pick them off.
"And I just think that Arsenal played into their hands and that is where they got the draw from in my opinion."
Arsenal's shaky performance at the back at Anfield has only reinforced the need for them to strengthen during the January transfer window, according to Merson, who feels Wenger should buy a defensive midfielder and a central defender.
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"I still think they need a world-class holding midfielder or someone better than what they have got and the other thing they need is another defender," he said.
"If you watched the defending on Wednesday, you cannot go away to Liverpool who, let's be honest, did not play really with a centre-forward, or at least a centre-forward who is a massive threat.
"So for me, I think a centre-back is needed badly and watching that game, you were thinking; 'What would Messi, Neymar and Suarez do to them?'"
If Liverpool win [aagainst Manchester United], they get on a roll and if someone can win seven games on the trot, you are going to be right up there in the top four
Liverpool's comeback against Arsenal, meanwhile, moved Jurgen Klopp's side to within just five points of Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth and final Champions League berth.
And Merson believes that if the Reds can beat Manchester United at home on Sunday, then it could act as a springboard to a top-four finish come the end of the season.
The former England international also feels, though, that United coach Louis van Gaal will have been greatly encouraged by Liverpool's defending against Arsenal heading into the Anfield clash.
"I cannot see anything other than goals," Merson said. "I think Van Gaal has looked at it and thought: 'We might as well have a go now. I cannot win, if I sit back and win a game 1-0, I get stick.'
"So I think he will just go out and play, he will have looked at Liverpool's defending on Wednesday and Liverpool are a threat going forward like they were. So I just cannot see anything but a lot of goals in this.
"I think both teams [need to win], I really do. If Liverpool win, they get on a roll. Like I said, if someone can win seven games on the trot, you are going to be right up there in the top four.
"So, for me, both teams have got to win this game, as a draw is not going to be any good for anybody in this game."
