Paul Merson has named Arsenal's most crucial players this season (Picture: Getty Images)
Paul Merson has named Arsenal’s most crucial players this season (Picture: Getty Images)

Paul Merson has claimed Arsenal will be an average Premier League side if they suffer injuries to a select group of vital first team players.

The Gunners take on Wolves in the first game of the season tomorrow as they look to challenge Manchester City for the title once again.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping it’s third time lucky after running Pep Guardiola close in the previous two campaigns, missing out by just two points on the final day last time around.

But Arsenal legend Merson fears the north London side are still lacking squad depth to go all the way.

In his match predictions for the curtain-raiser, Merson named four key players he believes Arsenal cannot afford to lose to injury and would struggle to replace if any three of them were out.

‘Gabriel [Magalhães], Rice, Saka and Odegaard played a lot of matches last season,’ he said in his column for Sportskeeda.

‘If Arsenal lose three of these players, they’re a run-of-the-mill team. They need to keep their players fit.’

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are three players Arsenal cannot afford to lose to injury this season, according to Merson
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are three players Arsenal cannot afford to lose to injury this season, according to Merson (Picture: Getty Images)

The former Arsenal player also thinks the club need to sign another attacker before the end of the transfer window to challenge City.

‘Mikel Arteta has options up front at the moment with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz,’ Merson said.

‘If Erling Haaland stays fit, however, I don’t think Jesus and Havertz could score as many goals as him put together – that’s the worry.

‘I think Riccardo Calafiori is a clever signing for Arsenal. Saliba and Gabriel played more times than any other centre-back partnership in the Premier League last season, and Arsenal struggled when Saliba was injured.

‘This is a good signing and covers their bases, but I still think they need a forward.’

Merson said defender Gabriel Magalhães was also a player the Gunners need to keep fit
Merson said defender Gabriel Magalhães was also a player the Gunners need to keep fit (Picture: Getty Images)

Merson thinks Arsenal will have too much for Wolves on the opening day and is predicting a 3-0 victory, but he can’t see them toppling City come the end of May.

He added: ‘Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are my favourites to make it to the top three this season.

‘I can’t look past Man City to win the league title yet again and if Erling Haaland is able to stay fit and play 20 games, he’ll win the Golden Boot.

‘The fourth place is open this season, and there’s not a lot between teams like Manchester United, Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham.

‘The Premier League’s big names have been active in the transfer market this year and could pull a few surprises before the window closes this month.’

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