It will not be a disaster if Arsenal miss out on a top-four place again after failing to qualify for the Champions League to the delight of arch-rivals Tottenham last season.
That's an opinion held by Alan Smith, who believes Mikel Arteta can afford to finish outside the top four due to how the team is developing under the Spanish boss. The Gunners were in pole position to pip Tottenham to fourth spot but fell out following a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle in their penultimate game of the campaign.
This came after Tottenham thrashed Arsenal 3-0 in the North London derby, giving Antonio Conte's side the momentum to go on and claim Champions League qualification. Spurs were two points ahead going into the final day of the season and needed just a point against already-relegated Norwich due to their superior goal difference. Despite the Gunners' 5-1 success over Everton, Spurs won 4-0 to finish above Arteta's men.
