Paul Merson says one Arsenal player has become 'increasingly influential'

Arsenal icon Paul Merson has praised Gunners duo Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney in his latest Sky Sports column.

The Arsenal midfielder has become “increasingly influential”, while the defender is a “massive player”.

However, both players are now on the sidelines, and their importance means the Gunners are suffering without them.

Partey came off against Crystal Palace with a thigh injury.

According to football.london, could be back before the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Tierney has undergone surgery for a knee injury and isn’t expected to be back until next term.

Arsenal have suffered a downturn in form at the worst possible time.

The Gunners have just eight Premier League games remaining this season.

Mikel Arteta’s charges have lost their last two league games in a row.

They went to Crystal Palace last Monday and suffered a 3-0 defeat, before losing 2-1 to Brighton at the Emirates.

Now, Arsenal sit three points behind fourth-placed Spurs, who beat Aston Villa 4-0 at the weekend.

“I still feel Arsenal are in it”

But despite the Gunners’ defeats and Tottenham’s upturn in form, Merson still feels his former club can finish fourth.

“Arsenal couldn’t get their full team out (against Brighton) and it became a bit of a struggle,” he wrote.

“Kieran Tierney is a massive player and Thomas Partey has become increasingly influential.

“I still feel Arsenal are in it because Tottenham have still got a Tottenham in them.

“I don’t mean that in a horrible way, but they still have got a Tottenham in them.

“Everyone was going mad about them but they could’ve been blown away in the first half against Aston Villa.

“Villa should’ve been out of sight and they only have to have one of those days in the next seven weeks.

“The 4-0 win over Villa covered over the cracks.

“They did some great stuff, don’t get me wrong, but in the first half Hugo Lloris had to make save after save.

“So I’m still not convinced by Tottenham… the top four is still very much on for Arsenal.”