Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United will take confidence from Arsenal's sobering defeat to Crystal Palace.
The Gunners failed to build on their three-point lead over United after this weekend's results. On an off-day for Arsenal, Patrick Vieira's side fired three unanswered strikes past their London rivals.
Despite the loss, Carragher felt that there was no need for immediate panic from Arsenal. However, he backtracked on his initial pre-match thoughts on United's chances of making the top four.
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"It's a bad night for Arsenal, the way they lost, not just the three points but it's very important there's no panic or hysteria. They're in a better position than Tottenham and Manchester United," he told Sky Sports.
"They've just won five games on the bounce, you're talking 15 points out of 18 away from home. You'd have taken that, yeah it was a bad one and the worry is that this could happen two or three more times and teams can take encouragement from the way Palace played.
"I think it'll be a real big boost for Manchester United and Tottenham tonight, the way they lost. But it's important that they (Arsenal) don't panic, they're in a really good position, they've got a great away record in the last few months. I think that's what Mikel Arteta will be reiterating, they're still in a great position, don't panic, there's still a long way to go."
Prior to the clash. Carragher said: "Certainly Tottenham will be looking at this game and thinking that Arsenal could drop points here. So I think that if Arsenal win here tonight, this will be the three points that will send a message to their rivals.
"It’s a big game, but it is going to be like that from now until the end of the season and it’s really exciting. But, I think now it will be down to the two north London clubs for that final top-four position."
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