Arsenal legend Martin Keown has played down their chances of Champions League qualification despite a week which has given their hopes a shot in the arm.
The Gunners could be in line to benefit from Manchester City’s two-year UEFA ban, which would open up fifth place in the Premier League table to a Champions League spot.
They then thrashed Newcastle 4-0 at the Emirates on Sunday to secure their first win since New Year’s Day with a rampant second-half display signalling a potential turning point for new manager Mikel Arteta.
Tottenham currently occupy fifth place, six points ahead of their local rivals, who are 10th in the table but closed the gap on the chasing pack.
Despite plenty of optimism in north London, Keown insists his former club remain a work in progress and cannot get carried away with their Champions League chances.
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Keown told BBC Sport: “This week’s shock news that Manchester City could miss out on a place in next year’s Champions League means that a fifth-placed finish could be enough for a place in next year’s competition.
“Sunday’s victory means that the Gunners are six points behind north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who hold that fifth position after a last-minute winner at Aston Villa.
“But this Arsenal team are still very much a work in progress.
(Image: Getty Images)
“After all, they started the weekend level on points with Newcastle, who now look in trouble after defeat. That could have been Arsenal.
“Arteta has some selection issues to contend with after leaving Alexandre Lacazette, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Lucas Torreira and Gabriel Martinelli on the bench – with all of them having good arguments to be in the starting XI.
“The positives were that Lacazette came on to end a nine-game wait for a goal with the late fourth, and that the Gunners look like a very together squad.”
