Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United will have had a better season than Arsenal if they finish third and the Gunners fail to win the Premier League.
Arsenal currently sit top of the table after 31 matches, a position which they have occupied for much of the season. Mikel Arteta's side have shown signs of wilting in recent weeks, though, squandering two-goal leads in each of their last two matches at West Ham United and Liverpool, which has seen the gap to Manchester City close to just four.
City still possess a game in hand over Arsenal and boast a superior goal difference, with the two sides set to go head-to-head at the Etihad next week, which could ultimately prove to be decisive. United, meanwhile, have been in and around the top four spots all season and have enjoyed a much improved campaign from the struggles of last term.
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They also ended their six-year trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup in February, but have remained a considerable distance behind Arsenal and City all season. Speaking on his Vibe with Five Podcast, Ferdinand believes United players will look back on their season more positively than Arsenal if they finish third, and the Gunners fail to become Premier League champions.
He said: "If Arsenal don't win the league and Man United finish third and just the one trophy they have had a better season.
"If you're a player, forget fans, and you finish third and win a trophy, Carabao Cup whatever it is and the team above you finish second and win no trophies, who is the happier player?
"Where you've been top for so long, if you finish second now, you cannot tell me that your whole fan base and all your players and staff will not be devastated."
Comments such as this one have been a familiar theme for Arsenal over the course of the season, with Gary Neville often boiling the blood of Gunners supporters. Back in January, following Arsenal's impressive 2-0 win at Tottenham, he suggested United would even finish above them.
Via Sky Sports, he said: "No. But I said Leicester wouldn't win the league. They won't win the league. Manchester City will win the league, and I think Man Utd will finish second, and I know that will annoy Arsenal fans!
"I'd rather Arsenal win the league than Man City. I think it would be absolutely sensational for the Premier League.
"I think about watching the Premier League, we've seen City sweep up, apart from Liverpool, over the past five years. To think Arsenal could come and win it, it adds to our league, it makes our league great.
"The reality of it is, I think at some point Man City will hit a run. Once they do, they've got to play Arsenal twice."
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