Ex-Gunners star Paul Merson has been very critical of Arsenal’s defending ahead of tonight’s game against Wolves.

Unai Emery’s side conceded three goals against Crystal Palace on Sunday, and Merson thinks that the Gunners could have had the best forward line in the world and not win due to their defensive lapses:

“I watched Palace against Manchester City in their previous game and they couldn’t get a kick. It was damage limitation. Then they go to Arsenal and they fancy themselves. It shows you the gap between Manchester City and Liverpool and the other teams.”

“You can talk about Arsenal’s team selection against Palace but you can’t defend like they did. They could have had Diego Maradona playing up front but you won’t win matches if you have defending like that.”

With their top-four hopes still in their hands, a win for the Gunners is absolutely vital but they face a very tough game tonight. Merson predicts a 2-2 draw at Molineux, and there is likely to be a fair few goals in this match considering how each team play.

If Arsenal do go after their opponent, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team have proven to be devastating on the counter-attack so we could have an end to end game.

They have struggled more at home against teams who sit back and soak up the pressure; a ploy that Unai Emery is unlikely to employ this evening.