A post from pundit Paul Merson about the Arsenal vs West Ham game minutes before the opener backfired pretty spectacularly last night.
Despite beating Arsenal 3-1 last month, a recent win at Spurs and victory over Man United – not many gave West Ham much hope of winning at the Emirates in the Premier League on Thursday night.
Especially when West Ham’s team news filtered through and it emerged captain Kurt Zouma was out through injury for the Arsenal clash.
Merson post backfires spectacularly
To make matters worse his central defensive partner Nayef Aguerd was also missing while talisman Lucas Paqueta went down in the warm-up and hobbled off in the first half.
But the Hammers emerged 2-0 victors in a superb defensive and counter-attacking performance.
Goals from Tomas Soucek and ex Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos sealed the three points.
And it could have been even sweeter had Said Benrahma not seen a last gasp penalty saved.
One man who definitely didn’t see the result coming was former Gunners hero Paul Merson.
The Sky Sports pundit is famed for his predictions. And he took to X AFTER kick-off to deliver his verdict on the game.
Pundit’s cocky message four minutes before opener
But Merson’s post about Arsenal vs West Ham minutes before the opener backfired rather spectacularly.
“Home win tonight for the Arsenal,” Merson said at 8.24pm – nine minutes into the game and just four minutes before Soucek’s opener.
That aged well within four minutes didn’t it Merse… Dear oh dear.
West Ham fans were quick to jump on the post, suggesting Merson was a better player than he is pundit.
Merson clearly felt his side would walk all over the Hammers based on what he saw in the opening exchanges.
But he completely dismissed David Moyes’ side despite their recent fine form, including that 2-0 victory over Man United at the weekend.
West Ham rarely get the respect they deserve from pundits and this is the latest example.
Merson’s night was not as painful as Declan Rice’s, though.
The former Hammers captain was jeered as he put in his worst performance yet for Arsenal, including giving away that late penalty.
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