Paul Merson urges Mikel Arteta to drop two Arsenal players for Leeds United clash

Paul Merson has encouraged Mikel Arteta to make two changes to the Arsenal team for this weekend’s Premier League clash against Leeds United.

The league leaders will look to get their title charge back on track following three disappointing performances when they travel to Elland Road on Saturday.

Manchester City dropped points in four successive games earlier this month but Arsenal failed to fully capitalise as they were held to draws by Liverpool and Nottingham Forest before losing to Manchester United.

Merson has urged the Arsenal squad to ‘step up’ ahead of a potentially tricky clash against Leeds, describing the game as their ‘biggest of the season’ so far.

Leeds endured a slow start to the season back in the Premier League but have only lost once in 11 games since December, beating Chelsea and drawing with Liverpool and Manchester United during that time.

Merson is confident Arsenal will get back to winning ways at Elland Road but believes Arteta should recall Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli after both were benched in favour of Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard against the resurgent Red Devils.

‘This is the game, isn’t it? Leeds away won’t be easy, no doubt it,’ former Gunners winger Merson told Sportskeeda.

‘Playing first makes a huge difference this weekend. If Arsenal win, they go seven points clear at the top and Manchester City still have to go to Tottenham. That is not a bad state to be in.

‘There are still 14 games left after this clash against Leeds and I believe Arsenal are not feeling the nerves just yet. The equation changes if they lose, but I expect them to get a crucial win here.

‘Leeds were outstanding in the first half against Everton last weekend. I don’t think they will put 10 men behind the ball in this game. I fully expect Leeds to have a go at Arsenal.

‘When Eberechi Eze came on against Manchester United last weekend, the Arsenal fans were going ballistic. I assume most of them felt he was being very casual on the ball.

‘But that’s just the way he plays and it’s not his fault! The thing with Eze is that he’s a special player. He is elegant when he gets on the ball and I think the fans need to give him time.

‘I mean no disrespect to Palace, but it’s not the same when you join Arsenal. The pressure is always on you and I believe Eze is still getting used to it. I hope they give him time.

‘Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli should come into the starting line-up for this game. Leandro Trossard will give you a bit of guile, but I think Martinelli’s pace will be really useful against Leeds.

‘Everybody has to step up, even the defence let in three goals last time out. This is Arsenal’s biggest game of the season. If they lose and the lead comes down to a single point, I don’t think they win the league!

‘So this is a humungous game and I’m predicting a very crucial 2-0 win for the visitors.’

Arsenal put their Premier League title aspirations on hold on Wednesday night as they completed a flawless Champions League group phase by beating Kairat.

£64m summer signing Gyokeres scored Arsenal’s opener in the 3-2 win, while Martinelli and the returning Kai Havertz also got on the scoresheet.

Arteta’s side won all eight of their European games, finishing top of the Champions League group phase and advancing straight to the knockout stages.

Arsenal reached the semi-finals of last season’s Champions League before losing to eventual winners PSG.

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