Paul Scholes makes worrying Arsenal claim and surprise prediction for Leeds clash

Paul Scholes suspects Arsenal have lost their momentum in the Premier League title race and expects the leaders to drop more points against Leeds United this weekend.

Two points from their last three games has left Arsenal, attempting to win the title for the first time since 2004, just four ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa in second and third respectively.

Man City dropped points in four successive games earlier this month but Arsenal were unable to fully capitalise as they too failed to win three games in a row.

Mikel Arteta’s side could only draw with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest before suffering a hugely deflating defeat to Manchester United at the weekend.

Arsenal got back to winning ways in the Champions League on Wednesday night, beating minnows Kairat 3-2 to secure top-spot and complete a flawless group campaign.

Arteta will be desperate for his side to secure another win when they return to domestic action on Saturday but Scholes believes they will drop more points at Leeds.

Leeds, who won the Championship last season, looked set for an immediate return earlier in the campaign, with Daniel Farke close to being sacked.

But the Elland Road club have improved drastically since the start of December, only losing once in 11 games since then.

Farke secured a huge win over Club World Cup winners Chelsea in that period, while Leeds drew twice with reigning Premier League champions Liverpool and also took points off Manchester United.

The impressive run of form has seen Leeds climb six points above the relegation zone and Scholes believes they will clinch another vital point against Arsenal.

Revealing his prediction on The Overlap, Manchester United legend and ex-England midfielder Scholes said: ‘I think 1-1.

‘Do you fancy Arsenal? I think Leeds are alright and Arsenal have gone, haven’t they?’

Scholes’ former teammate for club and country, Gary Neville, added: ‘Leeds are alright, we’re going to go 1-1. There you go, you’ve dropped two more points, Ian [Wright].’

Responding to the United legend’s surprise prediction, Arsenal hero Wright said: ‘Of course we’re going to win.

‘I’m not giving Leeds a goal, we just gave three away, we’re not conceding anymore. It will be 2-0 to my team, we’re coming back with a vengeance this week.’

Even after Arsenal’s recent wobble and a disappointing defeat to Manchester United, Wayne Rooney is confident the Gunners will become Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years.

‘I thought second half United were excellent and deserved the win,’ Rooney told BBC Sport after Arsenal’s last league game. ‘I thought Arsenal were a bit nervy and started the second half on the back foot really.

‘I think United took advantage of that, looked dangerous, defended really well again and deserved to win in the end.

‘It’s been great for Michael [Carrick], two wins out of two against Manchester City and Arsenal. I don’t think he would have dreamt of that start when he took over last week.

‘I think you’ve seen a complete change in everything really since he’s been in. He will be delighted.

‘I think Arsenal are still title favourites but it will be a concern for [Mikel] Arteta what’s happened in the last three games against Liverpool, [Nottingham] Forest and now Manchester United.

‘But I still think they’re probably slight favourites.’

While Arsenal set their sights on Leeds, Man City visit Tottenham this weekend while Aston Villa play host to in-form Brentford.

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