Jamie Carragher has claimed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be ‘furious’ after the Gunners’ latest setback in the Premier League.
Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, despite leading twice through goals from Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard.
The visitors levelled in the first half through a fine Eberechi Eze volley, while Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalised on an error from William Saliba to score a fine equaliser late in the second.
The draw against Crystal Palace means Liverpool now require just one more point to be confirmed as Premier League champions.
Arsenal’s latest slip up has seen Arteta’s side drawn three of their last four Premier League and they are yet to officially confirm their spot in next season’s Champions League.
The Gunners are 10 points clear of sixth placed Chelsea having played a game more, with the top five assured of a place in Europe’s elite competition next season.
Jamie Carragher believes Mikel Arteta will be ‘fuming’ after dropping points to Crystal Palace
Arsenal are yet to seal their spot in next season’s Champions League despite a cushion
Carragher believes Arteta may play a stronger team against Bournemouth next weekend
Carragher suggested that Arteta will be frustrated his side are yet to have sealed their place ahead of the Champions League semi-finals against PSG.
The former Liverpool defender suggested Arteta may now be forced to field a stronger side against Bournemouth, between the first and second legs, with league matches against champions elect Liverpool and Newcastle on the horizon.
‘I think Arteta will be furious,’ Carragher said on Sky Sports.
‘They will be fine for qualifying for the Champions League but you want to put it to bed as soon as you can.
‘If they’d have won tonight you could write the Bournemouth game off in between PSG and rest the whole team.
‘I don’t think he’s in a position to do that now as Liverpool come after that.
‘If they lose the next two games then they other are just behind you and they still have to go to Newcastle. You just don’t want to be looking over your shoulder.’
Arsenal host French champions PSG next Tuesday at the Emirates, before welcoming Bournemouth on the weekend.
He suggested Arteta would not want to be left looking over their shoulder in the final weeks
The second leg against PSG comes just four days later.
Arsenal’s final Premier League fixtures include a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on May 11.
This will be followed by a home match with Newcastle on May 18 and a final day trip to relegated Southampton on May 25.