JAMIE CARRAGHER has predicted Arsenal will go from playing second-fiddle in the Premier League title race to scraping into the Champions League qualification spots.
The Gunners are on a woeful run of league form that has seen them fail to win all but one of their games since April 1, with a 2-1 win over giving way to just one win in five.
‘s side have led in all of those fixtures but failed to win four of them – meaning they have lost 21 points from winning positions this season, their joint-most alongside 2019/20.
The run saw draws with , and before , while their only win in this period was a 4-0 thrashing of ten-man Ipswich.
This ultimately saw them hand the title to , who were crowned champions for a record equalling 20th time – although they have shifted focus to their run.
However, the North club’s dreadful form is threatening to see teams below them in the table catch up to them as the Champions League race heats up.
have won four of their last five league games to reinforce their grip on a spot, while likewise have won six of their last seven league outings.
Below the Middle East owned clubs, , and all remain in contention for the coveted fifth Champions League qualification place, with only goal difference to separate them.
And speaking to Sky Sports, former Liverpool star Carragher predicts to fall as low as fourth during the run-in.
He said: “I still think Newcastle and Manchester City can actually catch Arsenal.
“Just with the situation Arsenal have in the Champions League... they go to Anfield, they’ve also got to play Newcastle as well. It’s a brilliant race.
“Aston Villa have to win in the next couple of games to give themselves a fighting chance.”;
If Arsenal were to maintain second spot in the league, they run the risk of eclipsing the record set between Man City and in 2017/18 for the most points between the champions and runner up.
Should champions Liverpool beat Chelsea at later today, the gap between first and second will stand at 18 points.
The record set by the Manchester clubs in 2018 was a 19-point gap, though that was a season ‘s side became the first-ever English top flight centurions.
Liverpool host the Gunners next weekend, so could extend the gap to a colossal 21 points without Arteta’s side losing grip on second.
Carragher, 47, also reckons Nottingham Forest and Chelsea will miss out on the final Prem Champions League spot, with Aston Villa leapfrogging them both.
He continued: “Playing Spurs and Manchester United in their (Aston Villa) last two games might actually fall into their lap in terms of the final as well.
“I think this is going to go right to the wire. I don’t think Nottingham Forest are going to make it now, Villa might make a late push.I still think Chelsea will find it difficult looking at their fixtures.”;
