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Premier League | Gameweek 29

Mar 21, 2021 at 3pm UK

London Stadium

West Ham
3 - 3
Arsenal

Lingard (15'), Bowen (17'), Soucek (32')
Coufal (59'), Antonio (88'), Cresswell (89')

FT(HT: 3-1)

Soucek (38' og.), Dawson (61' og.), Lacazette (82')
Lacazette (90+2')

Paul Merson: 'Arsenal need consistency'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 22 March 2021

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes that the Gunners will continue to languish in mid-table unless they can improve their consistency.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has called for greater consistency at the club following their dramatic 3-3 draw with West Ham United at the weekend.

Mikel Arteta's men were outplayed by their London rivals in the opening 35 minutes and soon found themselves 3-0 down in the first half, but the Gunners rallied to rescue a point with a remarkable second-half display.

That six-goal thriller came after Arsenal deservedly beat Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby before succumbing to a 1-0 home defeat to Olympiacos, and Merson believes that his former side will continue to languish in mid-table obscurity unless they can produce performances like they did against Spurs week in week out.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Merson said: "It was exactly how Arsenal are in a nutshell, in that 90 minutes of football [against West Ham]. They've just been so inconsistent all season. Last week, they were great against Tottenham, they looked really good and looked like a team.

"Then they go out and put in a 45-minute performance like that and then come back and get a result. It summed up everything about their season in a nutshell in the last week. If you want to be successful, you need consistency and if you don't have it, you've got no chance.

"I thought they made mistakes and the first 45 minutes was a bit lackadaisical, if I'm being honest. West Ham came and pressed them, they tried to win the ball high up and Arsenal just didn't get it right.

"He went with Aubameyang on the right instead of the left. For me, Aubameyang is best out on the left and he changed that back after 20 minutes. For the players, as soon as the shackles are off and they have nothing to lose, they can play.

"But at the same time, I think West Ham helped with that because they sat back so deep, that they invited Arsenal onto them. And if you give them that much time and defend on the edge of your box, they will open you up by the end of the game.

"They've got the players, they've just got to find consistency, but they've got to be fighting for the top four. Arsenal is a big club and middle of the table isn't good enough. Until they can get their consistency right, they will be middle of the table again next season."

Arsenal managed to move up one place in the table into ninth with that point at the London Stadium, but the Europa League arguably represents their best chance to play continental football again next season.