Arsenal 's misery has been compared to Manchester United by Gary Neville, who fears for Mikel Arteta 's side after they lost 2-0 to Newcastle.
All Arsenal had to do was win to ensure that a Champions League place was in their hands on the final day of the Premier League season, but they were dominated by Newcastle, and it looks as though top four may be over. Even after losing 3-0 to north London rivals Tottenham they still had control, but now it's Spurs that are running away with it.
And Neville thinks that the defeat could have drastic repercussions for Arsenal after he compared their situation to United's Europa League final loss against Villarreal. Neville believes that it's more than just a defeat, and that their failures could bleed into next season.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Neville said: "It’s a bad one. I remember United losing that Europa League final and thinking it was more than just losing the final. Those Arsenal players’ body language at the end tells you it’s more than just a defeat - it’s a big one.
"I gave them the benefit of doubt at half-time because I felt as though the only way they would win this game was through a grind. That was damaging (vs Tottenham ) they were brutalised for 60 minutes, that’s a young team who doesn’t have the experience or character.
"I never fully trusted them to get into the top four all the way through but I thought they’d come out and respond after a poor first half and they would go get the victory but they showed us nothing, it shows where they’re at. They were schooled on Thursday, they lacked experience on the pitch and it will cause them a big problem."
And Neville thinks that while Arsenal have been weakened, it will only strengthen rivals Tottenham. Neville added: "Tottenham getting into the Champions League, they need it, Conte needs it, the financial and economic power it’ll give over Arsenal next season, I do feel it’s a bad one."
Neville's views were echoed by Monday Night Football host Jamie Carragher, who said: "Yes (Champions League chances over) it is. I think that is a massive problem not just this season, there is a huge problem for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal going forward.
"Europa League next season, Thursday-Sunday I think they’ve had their opportunity, no European football this season - that was a huge advantage. They’re not a top four club in this country but they had advantage on the other teams and they still haven’t made it pay and I fear for Mikel Arteta - that’s a bad one tonight."
And Carragher didn't stop there, as he continued to slam Arsenal for their poor performance. "I thought they were awful tonight," Carragher added. "I’ve praised Mikel Arteta and this Arsenal side since I started at Sky I’m getting bored of saying the same things about Arsenal, I’m getting bored of it myself.
"I actually enjoyed this season could get behind it, the fanbase almost got behind it, they weren’t going to be challenging for the biggest honours but they were building something and starting. That performance there was bad.
"That was almost bigger than a cup final for Arsenal, I thought they were poor first half but to play that poorly in the first half and produce that in the second half, it wasn’t acceptable. It wasn't the result, it was the manner."
