Arsenal legend Paul Merson successfully predicted what would happen against Liverpool in Sunday’s meeting at Anfield.

Paul Merson was right about Arsenal. It’s shocking, but his comments before Arsenal’s game against Liverpool ended up being spot on. “Liverpool could run riot over Arsenal this weekend,” Merson predicted.

“How are you going to win the Premier League with Nacho Monreal in a back three? Anyone can see that it’s not going to happen. It’s extraordinary. It’s actually mind blowing at times. Arsenal need defenders because they just can’t defend.

“When they get shell-shocked they ship goals for fun, because when they concede and when they’re under pressure there’s no one there to settle them down and get a grip.

“It’s good news Alexis Sanchez is back. His transfer saga has fizzled out a bit. But that might be just because he’s agreed to wait until January or next summer to make a move.”

Of course, the majority of fans predicted what would happen against Liverpool. The writing was on the wall since the Leicester game. Arsenal do indeed ship goals for fun when they’re shell-shocked.

They ship goals for fun when they’re completely focused, too. Arsenal just aren’t a team that know how to defend well. The problem extends beyond Monreal. The Spaniard is not a centre back, though he applies himself well enough in the position.

It’s not his fault that his wing-backs don’t protect the back three or that the midfield two just do what they want. It highlights the overall problem with the team and how it defends – or not defends.

Liverpool have a very dangerous attack that will trouble much more organised defences this season. Given how we’ve defended against Leicester and Stoke, it would have taken a hopeless optimist to predict that Arsenal would be able to contain that attack.