Paul Merson claims Tottenham just ‘taped up the cracks’ ahead of the Arsenal game.

Paul Merson has insisted Tottenham’s troubles are not behind them when they go into their north London derby against Arsenal.

Tottenham beat Crystal Palace 4-0 to stop the rot after five games without a win.

Antonio Conte’s side host the Gunners on Sunday and Merson says Tottenham’s result against Palace was a good one for Arsenal.

Paul Merson (right) says Tottenham only covered the cracks against Crystal Palace

Merson says Tottenham would have lost the match if it wasn’t for Harry Kane (right)

He said in his Sky Sports column: “I think Tottenham’s win over Crystal Palace was a great result for Arsenal because I think it just covered the cracks.

“If Harry Kane had played for Crystal Palace they would have won easily. Tottenham were horrible in the first half.

“If they lost that game, which they looked like they were going to do before half-time, then on Sunday everyone is like, ‘Oh, Arsenal are going to wipe the floor with Tottenham.

“That would have put more pressure on Arsenal but that just doesn’t happen in big derby games. These games are never as easy as they may seem for either side.’

Merson said he was “amazed” by the number of goals Tottenham are conceding with their defensive lineup

Merson also ripped into Tottenham’s midfield, saying they had no “arguments” and that while Spurs’ top three players were in attack, they had no one to give them the ball.

He also claimed their full-backs – Matt Doherty and Ivan Perisic against Palace – weren’t good enough for Conte’s system.

Merson also said he was “amazed” by the number of goals Tottenham conceded given their defensive line-up with three players in defence.

Tottenham have conceded 25 goals in La Liga this season, with only Fulham and Brentford conceding more in the top ten.

But it’s a bit exhausting playing the way they play, with two defensive midfielders and three centre-backs, and conceding so many goals. I can’t explain how hard it is to do what they do.

Conte hopes the win over Palace will gain momentum from the Arsenal game onwards

They provided at least two goals in 10 games until the Palace game. I find that extraordinary.

He said: “It’s something to do, playing the way they play, with two midfielders and three centre-backs, and conceding that many goals. I can’t explain how hard it is to do what they do.

“They scored at least two goals in ten games up until the Palace game. I find that extraordinary.”