Mark Lawrenson delivers verdict as Arsenal pursue Champions League football

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal return to action on Wednesday night as they take on Manchester City at the Etihad with the aim of qualifying for Champions League football – but Mark Lawrenson has delivered a damning prediction for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten since the turn of the year in the Premier League, which has propelled the north Londoners to ninth place. More importantly, they are five points behind fifth-placed Manchester United.

The aim for Arteta’s Gunners will be to finish in fifth place, with the chance that Manchester City could be banned from Europe – meaning fifth will promise Champions League qualification. If not, it still means Europa League.

But Lawrenson claimed in his BBC Sport column that he does not believe Arsenal will finish as high as fifth place despite their impressive form in the league of late – and predicted Manchester City to win 2-0.

“I cannot see Arsenal making fifth spot and qualifying for the Champions League that way,” Lawrenson said. “Yes, they won three league games in a row before the season was stopped but they were playing teams you would expect them to beat – West Ham, Everton and Newcastle.

“It was not a sign that anything had changed with the Gunners. It might feel like a new season, but they are the same old Arsenal.”

TBR’s view – Can Arsenal do it? The contenders…

Arsenal look more solid at the back since Arteta’s arrival, and more aggressive. However, there are too many elder players not pulling their weight – such as David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and more.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have benefitted from the break. Son Heung-min, Moussa Sissoko, Harry Kane and Steven Bergwijn are all due back from injury. Manchester United’s flying form before the break could continue.

Wolves have continued to make steady progress and find themselves within two points of fifth, while Sheffield United are in with a chance – though the return will see if their form was purely based on momentum.