Gary Neville believes Arsenal will need their rivals to capitulate if they are to finish in the top four this season.
The Gunners have spent big once more as they look to get into the Champions League. They've shelled out over £100m for the second straight summer to bring in the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko as they look to build on last season.
Mikel Arteta's side were looking good for fourth spot before results in the back end of the campaign allowed Tottenham to steal a march, eventually pipping their rivals. A lack of experience has been cited as a weakness for those on the red half of north London - although their new arrivals will address that.
Nevertheless, with Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United all eyeing top four finishes Neville expects Arsenal to be relying on their rivals dropping off. He said on the Overlap : “I actually hope so (get the people and fans on board with Mikel Arteta), I genuinely do.
" I just worry about the experience in terms of young manager. To be fair, it’s not unfounded, the evidence is there! Last season, Arsenal should have finished in the top four. But, in the end the experience of Antonio Conte, the experience of the Tottenham Hotspur players (meant they didn’t).
“In that game, Spurs’ experience on that night it was alarming how naïve Arsenal were and how short they were. My concern is just purely around (that). I know Chelsea and Manchester United are struggling a bit in terms of where they are and they might both blow up, but I think will both have to happen in order for Arsenal to land in the top four.”
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Arsenal have not finished in the top four since they finished second back in the 2015/16 season and haven't played in the Champions League since 2017. This term they will also have to juggle their domestic ambitions with Europa League commitments.
United were the other club to miss out on Champions League football last term as they endured a disastrous season amid changes in the dugout and internal issues. They now have Erik ten Hag at the helm and are looking to push on with the expectation being they will improve.
Chelsea have undergone a change in ownership whilst several players have left the club, leaving them light in certain areas. Thomas Tuchel has spoken openly and claims his team may not be prepared for the opening day which has led to doubts over their top four status.
