Gary Neville and Roy Keane clashed when assessing Arsenal's season if they fail to claim the Premier League.
The Gunners - who drew 2-2 to West Ham on Sunday - have led the top flight for most of the season but, heading into the final weeks, have a serious challenge on their hands as they try to hold off a Manchester City in full flow. The defending champions are eyeing a third successive title and are in the midst of an impressive winning sequence.
Arsenal, before the season began, were expected to challenge for the top four after an impressive transfer window. Their expectations have changed as the months have gone on however and, having once held a healthy lead, failure to get over the line would be a disappointment.
The Gunners are four points above City, who have a game in hand, and Neville believes that a second place finish would still represent an impressive season under Mikel Arteta.
He said on Sky Sports : "This title race always started at Anfield. Look at the fixtures. But they would have snapped your hand off to be in this position at the start of the season. Arsenal finishing second would still be an unbelievable season."
Roy Keane, however, firmly disagreed as he responded: "No chance. They’ve been top of the table all season. It would be a terrible season. They’re out of every cup competition. 2-0 up this week, 2-0 up today. It’s a huge disappointment."
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was a pundit alongside the pair for Sky Sports' coverage on Sunday, supported Keane. The former Chelsea striker said: "Everyone will get stronger next year. They might not be in this position. It would be a disaster."
The Gunners were dumped out of the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup in the early rounds by Manchester City and Brighton respectively. Their Europa League hopes were also ended in the early stages of the knockouts by Sporting Lisbon, who beat them on penalties.
Arteta has now seen his young Arsenal side draw two games on the bounce, both after leading 2-0. Liverpool were able to peg them back at Anfield before struggling West Ham fought back to claim a draw, which means City are just four points behind with a game in hand.
Keane is now confident that Pep Guardiola's side are primed to overhaul Arsenal in the final weeks. He said: "I’d rather be in the Man City dressing room with their experience. They’ve been in this before. They have the composure and experience." Neville too has backed City to topple Arsenal when asked throughout the season.
Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard attempted to remain up beat after their latest setback as he said: "We have to remember we are still top of the league with everything in our own hands. The same mindset, same mentality to make sure we win the next one."
