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PAUL MERSON TIPS UNDERDOG SIDE TO DISRUPT ARSENAL’S WINNING STREAK

Paul Merson warns that high-flying Arsenal could be tripped up by surprise package Sunderland. The pundit believes the Black Cats' speed and organisation will test the league leaders.

Paul Merson Tips Underdog Side To Disrupt Arsenal’s Winning Streak
Merson Warns Arsenal About Sunderland - COURTESY/PHOTO

Right now, Arsenal has a sizable lead and is riding high at the top of the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta's club is unquestionably the best in the league after winning every game in October without giving up a goal.

The Gunners are now clear favourites to win both the league title and Europe's top competition thanks to an almost unbeatable defensive unit. One of the main reasons for this achievement is the recruitment campaign that took place last summer, which gave Arteta's team the ideal mix of depth and talent.

Merson spots what could be a roadblock.


In recent weeks, Arsenal has had a favourable run of games, and this trend is expected to continue in the upcoming games. It comes after a tough campaign opening in which they played Newcastle, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City.

But one team might end that winning streak, according to Sky Sports analyst and former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson. Merson stated in his Sky Sports piece that Sunderland, given their recent success, will be the team to cause the Gunners trouble.

Merson remarked, "I thought Arsenal had such an easy run of games when I saw their fixtures recently." However, Sunderland will put up a fierce fight against them at the Stadium of Light in a few weeks.

Arsenal will have issues with Sunderland. They are a fast-paced, athletic team. They counter with speed and are well-organised and trained. On the counter, they also choose the appropriate pass and make wise selections. When they possessed the ball (against Chelsea), they did not waste it. You have to admit that they are secure, and I was really impressed with them at Stamford Bridge.

Le Bris's successful debut for Sunderland


Sunderland, who were just promoted, have been the season's surprise gem under the leadership of former Gunner Granit Xhaka. They have had an incredible start under Regis Le Bris, and their recent comeback victory over Chelsea moved them up to fourth place. Surprisingly, the Black Cats are only 5 points behind the Gunners at the top of the Premier League standings after 9 games, and they are ahead of both Man City and Liverpool.

Merson's warning is further supported by the Black Cats' perfect home record. On November 1st, Arsenal will play Burnley in the Premier League. A week later, they will travel to Sunderland. As the schedule gets more intense, they will compete in the Carabao Cup against Brighton and the Champions League against Slavia Prague in between.

VAR REVIEW: CHELSEA 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH, ESTêVãO PENALTY DRAMA EXPLAINED! WAS IT A FOUL OR A DIVE

Explaining the VAR: How an 11th-minute penalty check at Stamford Bridge saved a point for Chelsea against a resilient Bournemouth.

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Antoine Semenyo’s clumsy challenge handed Chelsea a vital lifeline

Every week, the Video Assistant Referee stirs up drama in the Premier League. Let's break down how these calls are made and if they're actually right.

This season, we're digging into the big moments to explain the VAR process and the rules of the game.

What went down: Chelsea's Estêvão was moving into the Bournemouth box, with Antoine Semenyo on his tail. Estêvão went down after some contact with Semenyo. The ref, Barrott, waved off Chelsea's penalty shouts, saying there wasn't a foul. He thought both players made contact naturally as they were running, and Estêvão basically tripped himself.

VAR said, "After looking at it, VAR Pawson suggested Barrott take another look at the monitor for a possible penalty because Semenyo might have tripped Estêvão."

VAR's take: Pawson had to figure out if the contact was just part of the play, like the ref thought, or if Semenyo fouled Estêvão. It was clear Estêvão tripped, but the question was how the contact started.

At first glance, it would be hard for Pawson to disagree with the ref because the main TV angle wasn't clear. But after checking out the sideline and behind views, Pawson saw that Semenyo stepped into Estêvão's path, making enough contact with his leg to cause him to trip.

Pawson told Barrott to check the monitor for a possible penalty. Barrott watched the replays, agreed, and gave Chelsea the penalty.

The call: It was a reasonable VAR call based on today's standards. But it's a borderline case.

Barrott seemed unsure of the monitor and needed some convincing from different angles.

A lot of the time, this kind of contact is just from players running normally, and someone goes down. To give a penalty, there really needs to be a clear foul by the defender. You could say that happened here, but it's a pretty low standard for VAR to get involved.

Chelsea 2-2 AFC Bournemouth

Referee: Sam Barrott

VAR: Craig Pawson

What: VAR check for a foul in the box

When: 11th minute

BREAKING: UNAI EMERY REVEALS THE REAL REASON BEHIND HIS COLD ARTETA HANDSHAKE SNUB NOW

Unai Emery explains why he skipped the post-match handshake as Arsenal’s 4-1 win ends Aston Villa’s 11-game streak at the Emirates.

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Emery snubs Arteta's handshake

Unai Emery said he didn't shake Mikel Arteta's hand right after Aston Villa lost at the Emirates Stadium since the Arsenal manager kept him waiting.

This loss stopped Villa's winning streak at 11 games, their first in almost two months.

Villa held their own in the first half, but Arsenal scored early in the second when Gabriel got to the ball before Emi Martinez on a corner.

Martin Zubimendi quickly made it 2-0, and Leandro Trossard scored a third goal a little after an hour had passed.

Soon after entering the pitch, Gabriel Jesus scored, making it 4-0. Ollie Watkins was able to respond by tapping in a goal late in the game after Donyell Malen's nice play.

After the game, Emery waited to shake Arteta's hand, but he went to the locker room since Arteta was still celebrating with his team.

It’s easy to see. I like to do things fast,” Emery said when asked about why he didn’t shake Arteta’s hand.

“I shake hands, then I go to the dressing room with my players and coaches. I was waiting.

“Arteta was busy with his coaches, so I went inside. It’s not a big deal for me.”

About the match, Emery commented, “We played great in the first half, and things were going our way. We had corners and defended well. We didn’t let them get a corner in the first half.

“We felt good, but we let in the first goal in the second half. Onana getting hurt didn’t help since he’s important for set pieces and in the midfield.

“We didn’t quit, and we kept playing hard. We scored one goal and almost scored more. Arsenal is the best team in the league and should win the title.

“I’m not sure which day it is since we’ve played Arsenal twice already, and we still have to play Nottingham. But I’m happy with our goals and how we're trying to attain them.

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