Liverpool legend and Sky Sports regular Jamie Carragher has claimed that Arsenal blew their title chances while also explaining what the Gunners need to compete with Manchester City next term.
Mikel Arteta's men are resigned to second this season, with City now officially champions after Arsenal were beaten 1-0 away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. The result means the Gunners can no longer catch Pep Guardiola's side, who make it five league titles over the course of the last six seasons.
Defeat at Forest marks another disappointing low for Arsenal, who have seen their form seriously decline in recent weeks. The Gunners have won just two of their last eight league fixtures, hardly the kind of form that wins league titles.
Though few predicted Arsenal would even finish second before a ball had been kicked back in August, the overriding emotion at the Emirates is one of disappointment. The Gunners were once eight points clear of City and topped the table for 248 days, so falling short late on has hurt those associated with Arsenal.
Carragher feels that the lack of depth within the Gunners squad ultimately cost them, with William Saliba's injury leaving a gaping hole in the Arsenal back-line, but admitted he thinks Arteta's side have wasted a big opportunity.
"Arsenal could end up with 84, so even though we say they're unlucky, they've done all they can, it's not a great total when we talk about really pushing someone to the line. Liverpool got in the mid-90s and still didn't win the league. You've got to get 90-plus.
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"I do have to go back and think how often will Arsenal be in a position where they're eight points clear with 10 games to go. It was an amazing position and they did blow it, we can't deny it. They've had an amazing season but if they're in that position next season I'd be very surprised, ahead of a quality of team like Man City.
"For me, Man City weren't the real Man City for the first two thirds of the season it feels like since the international break they've got their act together and we've seen the real Man City we've seen for the last four or five years."
The Gunners have one more game left to play and it comes in the form of a home clash against Wolves next Sunday.
There is very little on the line for either side, with Arsenal unable to change positon in either direction and Wolvs mathematically safe from the threat of relegation.
For all of the title anguish, Arsenal's young side can be hopeful that they can turn the pain of their demise this season to go one better next time around.
