Paul Merson left 'flabbergasted' by Mikel Arteta comment: 'What is he talking about?'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has claimed that Chelsea are the "best attacking team" in the Premier League "by a mile" after the Gunners beat them 1-0, but Paul Merson was left baffled by his comments
by Matthew Cooper · The MirrorArsenal legend Paul Merson was left "flabbergasted" after Mikel Arteta claimed Chelsea are the "best attacking team in the league". Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday thanks to a goal from makeshift striker Mikel Merino, and Arteta asserted after the match that Enzo Maresca's team are the best at going forward in the Premier League "by a mile".
The Gunners boss said: "We continue to do a lot of things defensively so well that earn us the right to attack open spaces and but there were so many situations, huge advantages that we just gave away.
"So we have to track back 70 metres and on that face, we were one of the best teams in the world today because we were unbelievable in the way we've done it.
"We haven't conceded almost [anything] apart from the strange save from David (Raya). In my opinion, they're the best attacking team in the league. By a mile.
"The stats say it, everything I've seen says it in open play. They can open you, they can run in transitions, they have individual quality, any player in the defensive line can threaten inside.
"They can combine on both sides, their weaker sides, they are missing some big players at the moment." However, Merson was left baffled by Arteta's comments, insisting Chelsea are not much of a goal threat without Cole Palmer in the side.
"I don't know what I'm missing," Merson told Sky Sports in response to Arteta's comments. "When Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer are playing, they're a good team. They bring the best out of each other.
"Palmer's a better player when Jackson's playing and Jackson's a better player when Palmer's playing. That is fact. But I'm flabbergasted by that quote. I honestly don't get that.
"There will be a lot of Chelsea fans reading that thinking, 'Wow, what is he talking about?' Is Arteta saying that because Chelsea have spent £1.6 billion yet haven't got a forward and can't score a goal and fans are moaning at him because Arsenal don't have a forward?
"Unless Cole Palmer plays, I don't think Chelsea score goals. Everybody can be an attacking and free-flowing team but you've got to get it right at both ends. They've scored 53 goals and let in 37.
"They bought enough players and they've got others out on loan. They didn't have to send them out. Moaning about injuries but they've got players out on loan who would play in the first team.
"Chelsea are the best attacking team? They scored one goal against Leicester to win 1-0. Leicester, in their previous 20 matches, had only failed once to let in two or more goals in a Premier League game. I'm not buying into that one. I'm not buying in."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package
£35 (was £43)
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.