 Paul Merson believes that Fabio Vieira is 'not good enough' for Arsenal and that a January move for Ivan Toney is essential to sustain a Premier League title challenge. Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis Sign up Privacy Policy Despite going ahead twice in the north London derby last Sunday, Arteta's team were pegged back on both occasions by Tottenham and were forced to settle with a 2-2 draw. It continues Arsenal's unbeaten start to the season, but they now sit four points off Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after the champions' 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest. With injuries to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, Mikel Arteta was forced to start Gabriel Jesus out wide against Spurs. Kai Havertz, meanwhile, has flattered to deceive since his big-money move from Chelsea in the summer, with the Gunners boss starting Vieira over the German for the last two league games. However, according to Merson, such a lineup is emblematic of a lack of depth in the side, with the former Arsenal legend unsure about whether the Portuguese midfielder has the quality to start in Arteta's side. 'I was so confident that Arsenal would win on Sunday but when I saw the teams, I was majorly worried, he said to Sky Sports. 'Jesus on the wing, [Eddie] Nketiah up front, Vieira – I don't think he's good enough. Then Declan Rice comes off and Jorginho comes on. 'It wasn't Arsenal's strongest team but when you think about the Champions League and all the games they have to play, it looked a bit weak on Sunday, didn't it?' Ivan Toney is available to play again in January after his gambling ban (Picture: Getty) Despite his surprise first call-up to the England senior squad, Nketiah has only scored two goals so far this season in all competitions. Along with Jesus' injury concerns, Merson says the Arsenal hierarchy may be forced back into the market for a reliable no.9 and believes){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Paul Merson believes that Fabio Vieira is ‘not good enough’ for Arsenal and that a January move for Ivan Toney is essential to sustain a Premier League title challenge.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
Despite going ahead twice in the north London derby last Sunday, Arteta’s team were pegged back on both occasions by Tottenham and were forced to settle with a 2-2 draw.
It continues Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season, but they now sit four points off Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after the champions’ 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest.