Arsenal legend Paul Merson is optimistic about the Gunners' chances in this weekend's North London derby against Tottenham, after seeing positives in the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.
Unai Emery's side left Anfield empty-handed once more but Nicolas Pepe caught the eye on his full Premier League debut, putting Virgil van Dijk under pressure throughout and having a glorious chance to score.
Meanwhile, Tottenham suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of a Newcastle United side who were pointless ahead of Sunday's clash and have won just one of their opening three matches.
As a result, Merson believes Arsenal will win comfortably in this weekend's meeting between the two sides but admits the Gunners need to be more clinical in front of goal.
"I didn't give Arsenal much of a chance at Liverpool, I expected them to get beat and the game went exactly how I thought it would - they had some chances, looked good in parts of the game and then succumbed to the inevitable," he wrote in his weekly Sky Sports column .
"I was impressed with Nicolas Pepe's performance at Anfield, but he had to put at least one of his chances away, that's why Arsenal paid top dollar to bring him to the club. Putting those chances away is what separates a £72m striker and the rest.
"When you go to Liverpool and Manchester City these days, you have to take your chances, Arsenal didn't. And when a talent like Mohamed Salah when he scores such a special goal, there is nothing you can do but hold your hands up.
"But it wasn't all bad for Unai Emery's side. A couple of weeks ago I'd have looked at Sunday's North London derby and said Arsenal would be happy with a draw, but after their positive start to the season, I expect them to win comfortably now."
