Pundit Paul Merson has claimed that Wolverhampton Wanderers are well in the mix for a top-four finish after Arsenal’s slip-up.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a pretty impressive season in the Premier League and they currently find themselves eighth in the league standings, and are five points off the top four. The gap could have been extended to eight points, but Crystal Palace produced a shock win against Arsenal on Monday night.
Wolves have the fourth-best defensive record in the league, conceding just 27 goals, only the top three sides have conceded less than this.
With the slip-up from Arsenal on Monday night, ahead of the clash against Newcastle tonight for Wolves, Paul Merson has claimed that Bruno Lage’s side is right-back in the race for a top-four finish.
“This is a big game as Wolves are right back in the top-four race after Arsenal’s unexpected loss to Crystal Palace,” Merson said.
TIF Thoughts on Paul Merson’s comments…
Finishing in the top four for Wolves means a lot more than just qualifying for Europe, key players such as Ruben Neves, Max Kilman, and Romain Saiss have been linked with moves away from the club, and if they do not finish in a Champions League place, then this could reduce the chance of them staying at the club drastically.
Wolves have an important three games coming up, against Newcastle, Burnley, and then Brighton & Hove Albion. In all three games Bruno Lage’s side will arguably be heading in as favourites.
However, Merson may be getting a bit carried away as Arsenal are five points clear of Wolves and have two games in hand, whilst Spurs are also five points ahead with a game-in-hand, so if the Gunners do pick up points in their next few games, then it could be game over in terms of a Champions League finish for Wolves.