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Paul Merson's joke about Tottenham's fightback in their derby day defeat to Arsenal didn't quite land the way he intended it to.

Spurs suffered a 3-2 loss at home to their fierce rivals on Sunday afternoon, netting two late goals after originally being 3-0 down at half time.

Merson left the Sky Sports studio in silence
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Merson left the Sky Sports studio in silenceCredit: Sky Sports

The Gunners held on in the end as they saw out late pressure from the hosts.

But despite Spurs being unable to break Arsenal down for a large majority of the game and being taunted by Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, ex-Spurs star Michael Dawson was pleased with the efforts of Ange Postecoglou's side in the second half.

"At the end, Arsenal are hanging on and they're nervous," he said, live from the Sky Sports studio. "They're going for a title!

"Nerves kick in. Obviously for Merse and Arsenal and all those fans they'll all go home happy."

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But it was former Arsenal star Merson's reply that left the studio in a rather awkward silence.

He joked: "It helps them in good stead for next year though Tottenham, doesn't it now, that fightback."

No one out of Dawson, Roy Keane, Micah Richards or host David Jones replied for a second or two.

Well, apart from Richards smirking a little bit.

Merson was shocked Dawson didn't have a little laugh with him, as Richards summed up the mood inside the studio
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Merson was shocked Dawson didn't have a little laugh with him, as Richards summed up the mood inside the studioCredit: Sky Sports

Merson looked at his Spurs counterpart and shrugged in what appeared to be disbelief that his fellow pundit, who eventually produced the faintest of smiles, didn't respond.

Jones then smiled and laughed: "Well, maybe we'll get onto the bigger picture in a little while."

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Following Sunday's result, Arsenal are now three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Goals from Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, as well as an own goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, ensured the Gunners maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League table over title rivals Manchester City.

Second place Manchester City, who currently have two games in hand, face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the late kick-off on Sunday.

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