Former Gunner, Paul Merson, has admitted that he’ll be ‘shocked’ if Arsenal manage to get a result against Chelsea during the FA Cup final this weekend.

  • Three of Arsenal’s centre-backs miss out on the final
  • Captain Koscielny out through suspension
  • Per Mertesacker set to make second appearance of the season
  • Merson doesn’t rate Arsenal’s chances against Chelsea

Merson is far from Arsenal’s biggest fan, despite playing for them between 1985 – 1997, so his prediction ahead of the Gunners’ FA Cup final clash isn’t that surprising, especially as he actually supports their opposition, Chelsea.

Although Mers’ already thought that his former team would struggle against the Premier League champions, even if they were in good form, now that they’re without Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel and Shkodran Mustafi for the final, he doesn’t rate their chances in the slightest.

“If both teams had brought their A game then Chelsea would still have won, but with Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel out, Shkodran Mustafi potentially out and Per Mertesacker playing at the back I would be shocked if Arsenal got a result,” he told Sky Sports.

“Arsenal need to have their best defenders playing to have any chance and they haven’t.”

He added, “Mertesacker is going to be crucial for Arsenal if he plays; he will have to play very well if Arsenal are to have any chance.

“If he doesn’t play well then Chelsea are going to cut through Arsenal like a knife through butter. The Arsenal defenders are going to have to have their best games of the season. If they can do that then you never know.”

Kos was sent off by Michael Oliver against Everton for a silly challenge on Enner Valencia, which could have been easily avoided. However, Gabriel’s knee injury and Mustafi’s illness can’t be helped.

The team will just have to suck it up and deal with it.

Or not, as the case may be.