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Former Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson has backed Arsenal to secure a 2-1 victory in their upcoming Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, April 21.
The Gunners slipped in the title race last weekend after a disappointing 0-2 loss at the hands of Unai Emery's Aston Villa, courtesy of goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.
Before last weekend, the north Londoners were at the top of the league table after a dominant run of games since the beginning of the year, apart from their goalless draw against Manchester City.
Now, the Cityzens have moved to the top of the league and look set to defend their crown for the fourth consecutive season. Arsenal are two points behind in second place, while Liverpool trail behind the Gunners on goal difference in third.
Mikel Arteta's men were defeated in Europe as well after getting knocked out by Bayern Munich in the quarter-final, losing the second leg 1-0 this week (3-2 on aggregate).
Lawrenson believes the Gunners can bounce back and walk away with all three points against Wolves at Molineux on Sunday. Giving his predictions for this weekend's Premier League fixtures, the pundit told Paddy Power:
"Wolves had that exciting 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest but they haven’t won in four now. Arsenal have got to bounce back, they were frightened by Aston Villa last week who were really, really good. I’ll go with Arsenal to win. Wolves 1-2 Arsenal."
Following the Wolves clash, the Gunners will face Chelsea at the Emirates on Tuesday, April 23.
Chris Sutton makes prediction for Arsenal's fixture against Wolves
Chris Sutton seems to agree with Lawrenson's assessment as the former Chelsea striker has backed the north Londoners to win against Wolves as well. Sutton, however, has predicted a 1-0 scoreline in favor of Arteta's side.
The pundit also pointed out Wolves' recent form in the Premier League. Gary O'Neil's side are without a win in their last four league fixtures and Sutton believes the Gunners can capitalize on it.
Speaking to the BBC, Chris Sutton said:
"This is a massive game for Arsenal but it definitely helps them that Wolves are on a pretty terrible run, without a win in four games.The talk this week about the Gunners has been whether the wheels are coming off, but I don't think that's the case."
He added:
"They maybe lacked a bit of composure in their defeat by Aston Villa. But Villa have got some very good players, as do Bayern Munich, who beat them in Germany on Wednesday.
"I'm still probably basing this prediction more on Wolves' form than on Arsenal's but I do think the Gunners will find a way to win at Molineux."
Sutton further stated, admitting that he hopes the Gunners won't make it easy for Manchester City in the title race. He added:
"I hope they do too, because I don't want Manchester City to have it all their own way in the run-in."
The Gunners have recorded 22 wins, five draws, and five losses in 32 Premier League games so far this season.
