Merson: Arsenal lack X-factor to win Champions League — SkimNews
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- Paul Merson said Arsenal failed to sign an X-factor forward to win the Champions League, naming Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez as the calibre of attacker they needed to take the next step.
- Merson said Arsenal's squad is good enough to win the Premier League but predicted they will fall short in the Champions League because the forward line lacks a player who scares elite defenders.
- Merson praised Kai Havertz as a 'top-drawer' hard worker but said the German is unlikely to score 20 goals in a season — the benchmark he sees as needed for a title-winning No. 9.
- Merson pointed to last season's Champions League final loss to PSG as evidence of the gap, saying Arsenal had 'no pace getting forward' and were pinned inside their own half by the French side.
- Merson described Arsenal's defence as 'immense' and 'so solid,' noting Chelsea scored after 77 seconds at the Emirates but never looked like adding a second goal.
- Merson backed Arsenal to beat Napoli away on Wednesday in their Champions League opener, citing Chelsea's recent away win in Naples that ended a long unbeaten home run for the Italian champions.
Why it matters: Merson's critique lands as Arsenal open their Champions League campaign at Napoli, identifying a specific tactical gap — the absence of a forward who forces elite centre-backs and full-backs to lose sleep — that he believes separates Arsenal from continental glory despite a Premier League-ready squad and last year's run to the final.
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