Mark Lawrenson predicts where Arsenal will finish this season
Mark Lawrenson says Arsenal should not worry about finishing in the top four this season
Mark Lawrenson believes that Arsenal should not concern themselves with having to finish in the top four this season.
The north London side are currently getting used to life under new boss Unai Emery after Arsene Wenger retired at the end of last term after almost 22 years in charge.
The Gunners have suffered a disappointing start to the new campaign, and Arsenal slumped to back to back defeats by both Chelsea FC and Manchester City in their first Premier League games of the season.
Emery has been tasked with steering the Gunners back into the top four this season after the north London side finished in sixth place and without a trophy last term.
The north Londoners have not won the Premier League title since their famous unbeaten triumph in the 2003-04 campaign.
And former Liverpool FC star Lawrenson feels that the Gunners would be wise not to put too much pressure on themselves during Emery’s first campaign in charge at The Emirates.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Sport, Lawrenson said: “I am almost thinking that for this season – as new manager Unai Emery gets his feet under the table and imposes his style – Arsenal should not put pressure on themselves to finish in the top four.
“They need to develop and, after more than 20 years with the same manager, it is always going to be difficult.
“They are trying to play out a little more from the back and all it needs is for one player not to be comfortable doing so for it to be a problem.
“If Emery wants to play that way he will have to suffer one or two defeats along the way, but I think ultimately he will get there, partly because he will get the personnel in who can fit that style.”
Arsenal will look to pick up their first Premier League points of the season on Saturday when they host West Ham United at The Emirates.
