Paul Merson admits he can’t see Arsenal beating Bournemouth, even though his former team should edge it.

The ex-Gunner predicts that while Arsenal should be able to beat the Cherries at the Emirates on Saturday, he just can’t see it happening.

“This is a massive game for Arsenal. A few years ago I would have said Arsenal to win 3-0 or 4-0, however, I just don’t see that now,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“I am going to favour Arsenal slightly but something just tells me they are not going to win.

“I watched the game at Liverpool and they were an embarrassment.

“I just don’t know how you turn that around, especially after the international break as all the players have been apart for over a week.

“Bournemouth will go to the Emirates and have a real go and that’s the best way to do it in my opinion.

“This Arsenal team are good going forward but they are terrible at the back.

“I am going to give Arsenal the edge but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if there was a shock in this one.

“This is certainly not going to be a walk in the park for the Gunners.”

Merson does have a point. Arsenal’s 4-0 loss to Liverpool was shambolic and the players having time away with their national teams probably hasn’t helped.

Morale is at an all-time low, no one appears to have any respect for Arsene Wenger, there are players being played out of position and others who want to leave.

From the outside looking in, it looks like complete chaos. I half expect Per Mertesacker to currently be chasing Alexis Sanchez around London Colney with a human-sized butterfly net while Shkodran Mustafi rocks back and forth in a corner.

Last time Arsenal faced Bournemouth, the Cherries went 3-0 up within 58 minutes and although the Gunners came back to nab a point, most fans aren’t exactly brimming with confidence going into the clash.

As Merson says, Arsenal should edge it but that doesn’t mean much these days. At the moment, I can’t see the Gunners winning any game because they’re playing that abysmally.

But yay football…