Chelsea's Carabao Cup Showdown with Brighton Sends Shockwaves - Pochettino's Nerves Unveiled, Claims Paul Merson
Paul Merson expresses concern for Chelsea ahead of their crucial Carabao Cup clash with Brighton He also ponders whether Arsenal should pursue Ivan Toney in January, following scoreless performances from Nketiah and Jesus in the north London derby Liverpool's victory over Spurs could have significant implications, while Arsenal and Manchester City face intriguing challenges
Paul Merson suggests that Mauricio Pochettino appears to be displaying signs of panic, implying that Chelsea's upcoming Carabao Cup clash against Brighton at home on Wednesday holds significant importance. Chelsea, having only secured two victories this season, have also failed to score in their previous three matches and suffered a home defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday.
'Chelsea's next 10 games are vital - but where is the win coming from?'
Chelsea's desperation for the Carabao Cup surpasses that of any other team. The upcoming fixture against the Seagulls on Wednesday night possesses greater significance for Chelsea compared to any remaining team in the tournament.I mentioned that Tottenham made a mistake by fielding a weakened team in round two and getting eliminated. However, considering their current performance and the need to secure a spot in the Champions League, I can now understand why they chose to rest players.
On the other hand, Chelsea is struggling to win a single game. Despite having relatively easier fixtures, many clubs would have been satisfied with their schedule. Newcastle, for instance, faced Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Brighton, yet they have accumulated four more points than Chelsea.
The last thing Chelsea need to do now is go out to Brighton in the cup.
Looking at Chelsea's upcoming fixtures, it's concerning. The next 10 games hold immense importance for their season, leaving you breathless. It's a period where you can't predict when they'll secure a victory in a football match.
Therefore, Wednesday's match holds tremendous significance. If they suffer a defeat here, it means they have only won three games out of their last 24. One of those wins came against Luton, and it's uncertain when they'll win again. Another victory was against AFC Wimbledon in the cup, where they managed to scrape through. The final win was against Bournemouth in the previous league season, but only after Bournemouth had accumulated enough points to avoid relegation.
Even Mauricio Pochettino acknowledges the need for patience, expressing that it is a process. Such statements from a manager are often indicative of growing concern. It seems even he did not anticipate this outcome. This early acknowledgment is cause for worry. I hope he finds the required patience and time to address the team's injuries. However, my concern lingers.
Arsenal may need Toney in January
I've always said it from day one - Eddie Nketiah is not going to win you the Premier League.
A quality center forward is essential. It's not Nketiah's fault that they tied 2-2 with Tottenham, but considering the 32 remaining games and the upcoming Champions League matches, I don't believe he can elevate them to the next level. Even Gabriel Jesus doesn't seem capable of taking them to that level.
My confidence in Arsenal winning on Sunday quickly diminished when I saw the team lineup. Jesus playing on the wing, Nketiah leading the attack, and Fabio Vieira - I don't believe he possesses enough skill. Then, when Declan Rice was substituted and Jorginho entered the field, my concerns grew even further.
The Arsenal team on Sunday didn't appear to be their strongest, which is understandable considering their busy schedule in the Champions League. However, when considering their need for a centre forward, it raises the question of who is currently available.
In January, they only have Ivan Toney as an option since there is a scarcity of center forwards globally. It seems like this position is becoming less common.
I happened to overhear Michael Owen talking recently. In the past, players like him, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, and Robbie Fowler used to score 20 to 30 goals per season, yet they didn't receive numerous England caps. Ian Wright and Les Ferdinand faced a similar situation. Nowadays, if you manage to score 20 goals in the Premier League, you earn a call-up to the England national team.
Toney demonstrates impressive skills as a player, excelling in ball retention and aerial challenges. Arsenal should consider pursuing him, as there is a scarcity of quality center forwards available. However, if Arsenal fails to emerge victorious against Manchester City on October 8, their chances of clinching the title will diminish significantly. They would find themselves trailing by seven points.
Despite the argument that there are numerous games remaining, Arsenal would not be able to surpass Manchester City even if there were 600 games left, given City's seven-point advantage. This situation is not hypothetical, as Arsenal would only face City once and as an away match. The upcoming game at the Emirates carries significant importance and can determine the outcome of the season.
Arsenal
Manchester City
Sunday 8th October 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Arsenal Manchester City
If Liverpool manage to secure a victory over Tottenham next week, it would be an extremely significant outcome. While I don't anticipate them losing the match, it is important to acknowledge that facing Tottenham at this point means confronting a highly skilled team with talented players.During the first 35 minutes of their match against Arsenal, I found Spurs to be rather underwhelming. It felt reminiscent of observing Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho's Spurs. If Gabriel Jesus had successfully scored for a 2-0 lead, the narrative would have been completely different. However, he inexplicably misses an absolute sitter.
I was impressed with Tottenham for continuing to play their preferred style of football. I initially expected Arsenal to secure an easy victory, but Spurs defied expectations by equalizing from a 1-0 and 2-1 deficit. Normally, they would surrender and lose. Credit must be given where it's due. I believe they were exceptional, and I now envision them being among the top four teams.
Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool
Saturday 30th September 5:00pm
Kick off 5:30pm
Destiny Udogie showcased his exceptional skills by taking on the challenge of facing Bukayo Saka, a renowned world-class winger, early on in the game. The credit for this remarkable decision goes to Ange Postecoglou, who expressed his trust in Udogie, reminding him of his role as a full-back to defend one-on-one situations and remain on the field. Typically, a manager would substitute a player against someone of Saka's caliber to avoid a potential red card. However, both the manager and Udogie deserve applause for their commendable performance in fulfilling their respective responsibilities.
Liverpool, on the other hand, still have a considerable amount of work ahead. Currently, Manchester City is outperforming every team in the league, exerting immense pressure on their competitors. Their performance is truly extraordinary.
Liverpool's current performance is commendable as they must persevere. It is vital to approach each game with utmost focus and avoid allowing Manchester City to gain an early advantage.
The biggest advantage Liverpool have is they can draw to Tottenham and Brighton over the next two weeks because they still have to play Man City twice - and they can beat Man City twice.
