The rival clubs have made near identical starts to the new season, collecting 13 points from five games, with both having tasted victory on home soil against a beleaguered Manchester United.
Spurs, under the management of Ange Postecoglou, are unrecognisable from the shambolic rabble that ended last season under the interim management of Ryan Mason, who himself has taken on the role from Antonio Conte’s stand-in replacement Cristian Stellini.
Dour, safety first football has been replaced by a high-octane brand more in keeping with the club’s traditions but Merson believes the Australian’s side are in for a sound beating if they attempt to go toe-to-toe with Arsenal.
He told Sky Sports: ‘It’s a big test for Tottenham – it’s not a big test for Arsenal, is it? Everybody is going mad about Tottenham, but they’ve only really played Manchester United at home so far this season
‘One team has been doing it for the last year and a half, while this Spurs one is just getting it together. Arsenal proved themselves last season by nearly taking the best team in the world all the way over 38 games.
‘Sunday is all about how Tottenham approach it and I don’t know if Ange Postecoglou will change his game. Speaking to Celtic fans, he won’t – he plays the same football everywhere he has gone.
‘If he doesn’t, it will open the game up. And if you go toe-to-toe against Arsenal, there’s only one winner.
Because of the way they pass the ball and move between the lines, I don’t know if Spurs could live with Arsenal. They will get blown away.
‘If they go counter-attacking, it’s a different game. But I don’t think this manager is going to do that. So I would be shocked if Tottenham won this football match, I would be amazed.
‘And I’m not saying this is a free hit for Spurs. Their fans will not want to be coming away from there after getting beat.
‘Those who think it’s a free hit have never played in this game before, or aren’t Arsenal or Tottenham fans.
‘Spurs can’t have the perspective of ‘it’s Arsenal, the second best team in the country to la di da’. No. Tottenham have to go in there on Sunday and can’t play any better.’
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