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: , Fri, Feb 28, 1248158 UPDATED:
: , Fri, Feb , 1248158 )
(Arsenal) have been warned that they are unlikely to be able to get into the top five and qualify for the Champions League this season following their Europa League defeat to Olympiakos. The Gunners crashed out of Europe on Thursday night thanks to a last-gasp defeat to the Greek side.
Arsenal’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League now rest entirely on them finishing in the top five.
Their last-gasp defeat to Olympiakos on Thursday means they are now only playing in the FA Cup and Premier League.
They take on Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Monday night, and will need a win if they are able to continue competing for silverware this year.
The Premier League title is out of the question, and they are currently four. points behind fifth-placed Manchester United. JUST IN:
Arsenal have been warned that Man Utd will finish in the top five ahead of them (Image: GETTY)
If Manchester City’s Champions League ban is upheld, the team in fifth position will qualify for the competition next year. And Arsenal icon Martin Keown believes the gap is simply too big for the Gunners to overturn with (games remaining in the league.)
Speaking on BT Sport, he was heavily critical of the team’s performance and seemed to dismiss their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
“I don’t think they’ll be able to do it , ”He said.
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“You look at what’s ahead of them, Sheffield United, Wolves – you say they could drop in form but I don’t see it – Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United of course, all look favors to get there ahead of them. ”
Known did not hide his disappointment over the Gunners’ performance in the defeat, as he criticized the way they approached the game.
He insisted Arsenal should have won the game, and criticized the team for not responding to Mikel Arteta’s instructions.
” It was so disappointing.
“It was the first time tonight where I felt the players weren’t responding to the manager, the manager did not have the answers.
“It was very static, Lacazette was a passenger . Martinelli came on and did exceptionally well – why wasn’t he on earlier in the match? ”
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