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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Callum Vurley

Mikel Arteta and Antonio Conte slammed as "the Chuckle Brothers" after top four setbacks

Mikel Arteta and Antonio Conte have been likened to the Chuckle Brothers following setbacks in the top-four race.

Arsenal and Tottenham both tripped up over the weekend despite a Champions League spot up for grabs. Brighton rocked up to north London for the second week running to claim all three points while Southampton beat Spurs.

It has been a turbulent time for the Gunners since the return of domestic football from the international break, losing all three games in the Premier League - including against Crystal Palace and Brighton. Arsenal had been the favourites to clinch fourth after sitting in the position with three games in hand.

Tottenham, meanwhile, had been in fine form after thrashing the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa and Everton. But when the pressure was on and a spot in the top four became available, they panicked and lost at home.

And ex-Premier League star Jamie O'Hara has slammed both clubs, likening Arteta and Conte as the Chuckle Brothers who will allow United to steal in on a Champions League spot under their noses. The Red Devils have had a nightmare campaign but their win over Norwich has put them within one game of reaching the top four.

Venting on talkSPORT, the former Spurs midfielder said: “What are we doing?! What are Spurs doing? What are Arsenal doing? We’re both a shambles! Does anyone want top four? I feel like this happens every season.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have lost three in a row in the Premier League (GETTY)

"And the worst thing that will happen is United will get fourth." At this point, radio host Laura Woods interjected to say: "It's like we are holding the door open and saying, 'you go.'"

O'Hara carried on the bit that played out like a Chuckle Brothers sketch, adding: "No you go, go on!" Woods replied: "And then United are like 'go on then, thank you very much!'"

United will certainly feel more confident in their unlikely battle to prise a top-four spot away from north London but have some tough games on the horizon, starting tomorrow night. The Red Devils travel to Anfield to face Liverpool, who are hunting down the Premier League title.

Many are expecting Jurgen Klopp's men to thrash their rivals while Arsenal take on Chelsea this Wednesday night, which is their game in hand. Tottenham might consider Brentford the easiest of the three teams to take on but they are in fantastic form since the arrival of ex-Spurs star Christian Eriksen.

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