Paul Merson has given his verdict on what sort of strategy Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will use in this summer's transfer window.
The Gunners have only lost one game under Arteta – the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in December – but they have drawn almost as many games (5) as they have won (6).
And Arsenal are expected to be busy in the summer window as Arteta looks to offload certain players, bring in personnel to suit his style of play and amid the risk of losing top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – who has less than 18 months left on his contract.
Former Gunners forward Merson believes that Arteta will know who he wants to offload in the summer, telling Sky Sports : "Arteta will know what he needs to change next season. It's pointless coming in, going mad at players now, and then all of a sudden needing those players if others get injured.
"The players he'll want to get rid of don't need to know that right now. There will be some personnel changes in the summer."
Merson also graded Arteta's start as Gunners boss at a B+ following last Sunday's battling 3-2 victory over Everton .
"Arsenal would have lost the game against Everton four months ago," Merson said. "You watch Arsenal now and it's not the Arsenal of 2004. This is where Arsenal are now, so really beating Everton 3-2 is a big result.
Although the Gunners are currently seven points adrift of the top four, Merson believes that finishing in the top five – given the news of Manchester City's Champions League ban – is still the aim, adding: "They're aiming for fourth or fifth now, so that is a good result.
"They are harder to beat, and Arteta is getting players to try and play, like [Mesut] Ozil, Aubameyang is scoring goals. They're still open at times, but if you're giving Arteta a grade since he got there, it would be B+. He's doing something right. Show me someone that can run before they can walk!
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