Paul Merson is probably the only person on this planet that seems excited about Arsenal’s match against Middlesbrough on Monday night.

• Boro v Arsenal kicks off at 8pm, Monday 17 April
• The Gunners drew 0-0 against Middlesbrough in October
• Merson thinks Arsenal could edge it but both need win
• Arsenal and Boro have both lost 3 out of 5 of the last league matches

The ex-Arsenal midfielder was, annoyingly, correct with his prediction that week when he said that the Gunners wouldn’t be able to deal with Crystal Palace’s attack at Selhurst Park. Although, he did say it would be a draw… so he was wrong about that at least.

This week, he reckons Arsenal will just edge it because that’s how poor Boro have been but both need to win desperately.

“The great thing about this game is both teams absolutely have to win,” Merson said.

“There’s no point drawing so with 20 minutes to go it will just be ‘attack, attack, attack’ for both teams. It should be a brilliant game to watch.

“I’m edging towards Arsenal, they have to do something for the manager. He is under pressure, like the players, and Middlesbrough are sinking.

“Boro have turned up to the Premier League party but are sitting at the bar drinking Diet Coke. That’s what it feels like to me.

“When they did go for it, like against Hull, they got picked apart, and I can see that happening again if they open up against Arsenal.”

Hopefully, Merson’s right. If the traveling Arsenal fans were angry about a loss against Palace, imagine how livid they’ll be if the team crumble against Boro at the Riverside Stadium.