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Merson urges Arsenal to target Liverpool defender Van Dijk: He's not fully fit

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk can be targeted today.

The Reds have looked vulnerable in defence at times this season and were exposed on a number of occasions last time out against West Ham United.

Writing in his Daily Star column, he said: "Liverpool are conceding too many goals and have just lost to West Ham. It's a big game for them too because you don't want to be falling further behind Chelsea.

“I don't think Virgil Van Dijk is fully fit and until he is, he can't play the way he normally does without Liverpool letting in goals. They're getting caught out a lot."

"Arsenal need to take advantage."

He also said: "When was the last time Arsenal went to a place like this in this kind of form? There's no excuses not to have a go.

"They can't go to Liverpool and get beaten the way they usually do every time they go there.

"Look at the last few times Arsenal have gone to Anfield in the Premier League. They lost 3-1 twice, 5-0 and 4-0. They haven't even put up a fight.

"If you want to get back into the Champions League you have to do better than that. These are the teams you measure yourself against.

"Arsenal have got something to prove here. You can't just keep on beating the teams you're expected to. You have to beat the bigger teams to be taken seriously."

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Paul Vegas

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