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Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has opined that Arsenal can be relaxed against Nottingham Forest on Saturday (May 20) as the Premier League title is no longer in their hands.
The Gunners face Nottingham Forest in the City Ground in their penultimate Premier League game of the season. They will go into the game looking to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
Arsenal will not be too excited for their clash against Forest as their loss against Brighton saw them drop four behind Manchester City, who also have a game in hand. Mikel Arteta's side had an eight-point lead atop the table at the start of April but have since only won two of their seven games.
The Cityzens only need to win one of their remaining three games to clinch the title. The UEFA Champions League finalists could get the job done when they face Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday (May 21).
Lawrenson has said that the north London giants should accept defeat in the title race. The former defender reckons it will allow them to be relaxed against Forest. He predicted that Arteta and Co. will claim a 2-0 win against Steve Cooper's side.
"Arsenal can just go out and play with a little bit of freedom because the title’s gone and the worst they can do is finish second. I expect they’ll win this. Nottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal," Lawrenson wrote in his Paddy Power column.
The Gunners earned a 5-0 win when they faced Forest at the Emirates Stadium in October. A brace from Reiss Nelson and goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard sealed the game for them.
How have Arsenal's opponents Nottingham Forest fared this season?
Nottingham Forest earned promotion to the Premier League after winning the EFL Championship playoffs last season. This is their first campaign in the English top-flight in 23 years.
Determined to avoid relegation, the Tricky Trees made 23 signings last summer, spending around £140 million. Steve Cooper's side brought in seven more players for a combined sum of £29 million in the winter.
Despite the financial outlay, Forest have struggled to stay clear of the relegation zone. With two games left, they are 16th in the table, just three points above 18th-placed Leeds United.
Cooper and Co. will be keen to win at least one of their remaining two games to avoid the risk of relegation. After hosting Arsenal, they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their final game on May 28.
