PAUL MERSON feels Arsenal’s defence could be even worse when the Premier League returns.
The Gunners were beaten 3-2 by Championship side Brentford at the Emirates in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday.
Sky Sports pundit Merson fears the Arsenal defence could be worse without fans present to keep players concentrated.
And ex-Arsenal midfielder Merson is concerned the lack of fans could have a negative effect on Arsenal’s performances.
“I worry for Arsenal,” he said. “I watched the goals they let in against Brentford, and I worry about them playing behind closed doors.
“When you’re not a great defender, and Arsenal have a few of them – not top drawer defenders – I think the fans keep you honest.
“I mean that they keep your concentration levels. You need the fans there to keep you concentrated.
“One of the goals against Brentford, David Luiz tries to play out, flick it over the lad’s head, and that’s not honest. The fans try to keep you honest.
“I think with Arsenal that’s going to be a little bit of a problem defensively.
“I think they will switch off behind closed doors with no crowd, and there could be mistake after mistake.”
Ahead of Project Restart Arsenal sit ninth, eight points outside the top four.
The Gunners have conceded 36 goals in 28 Premier League matches this season and take on the league’s top scorers Manchester City in their first game back on June 17.
Arsenal went into the shutdown on the back of three league wins on the bounce but Merson believes Mikel Arteta’s side still have some ground to make up in order to challenge for a Champions League spot.
“It could be a few years before Arsenal make the top four again,” he added. “I do believe in Arteta and I think he’ll get it right but it’s hard as an inexperienced manager.”
Cedric Soares works hard at Arsenal training as he recovers from knee injury
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
