Paul Merson called out by Sky Sports host live on TV after Arsenal beat Chelsea | Football | Sport

It was a tense evening at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal doing everything to protect their narrow lead in front of their own fans. They got the breakthrough with virtually the last kick of the game as Kai Havertz rounded Robert Sanchez to score into an empty net. It was the only goal of the night and saw Arsenal claim a 4-2 aggregate victory to book a place in next month’s Wembley final.

Merson, who made over 300 appearances for the Gunners but is a Chelsea supporter, was on punditry duties in the Sky Sports studio for the match.

After the final whistle, he was discussing Chelsea’s performance but had to be corrected by Chapman after mispronouncing Estevao’s name. Merson was bizarrely calling the winger ‘Stevo’, leading Chapman to interject: “You mean Estevao? Stevo to you?”

The former England international was also scathing in his criticism of the Blues, accusing them of not trying hard enough and making it easy for Arsenal to shut them out.

“I’m numb, I’m flabbergasted,” said Merson. “I can’t believe what I’ve just watched. I honestly can’t believe what I’ve just watched.

“I mean, Arsenal fans and the players themselves.. this is Chelsea Football Club. They’ve got international football players and World Cup winners. They’ve got players all over.

“I mean it’s unbelievable. I’m lost for words and I can’t believe what has happened. They’ve just gone out with an absolute whimper in the semi-final of a big competition.

“If it works, it’s great, but it hasn’t worked and you can’t gamble like that. Have a go and go out in a blaze of glory. Don’t go out like that. I’m lost for words, honestly, I’m lost for words.”

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior was quizzed on Merson’s comments in his post-match press conference and was quick to defend his team’s conservative approach to the game.

“I’ve been a pundit, it’s easy,” he said. “It’s easy in hindsight. If I go and attack the game, press really high and we concede two goals early on, everybody says: ‘What’s he doing?’.

“That’s the reality of my job. The reality of my job is that if you lose games, you’ll be critisied. If you win, you’re a genius. It’s normally somewhere in between that.”