Arsenal idol rubbishes Gabby Agbonlahor claim after major development – ‘nobody can tell me’
Arsenal will not face a long exodus from the Champions League just because they failed to qualify for the competition this season, according to Kevin Campbell.
The former Gunners and Everton striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted only Man City and Liverpool are reliable when it comes to the top four.
Tottenham pipped Arsenal to fourth spot on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s side had the advantage of no European football this term, a luxury they will not be afforded next season after qualifying for the Europa League.
Speaking to Football Insider (18 May), ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor said Arsenal missed an opportunity this season and predicted they would now not play Champions League football for “five or six years.”
Campbell suggested successful recruitment and development could see the Gunners into the top four next year.
“It is hard every season.” he told Football Insider. “People can say what they like.
“Whether Arsenal finished in the top four or not, Spurs, Man United, Newcastle and Leicester City would kick on. There is going to be a lot of teams vying for those places. Fourth spot is not a given for anybody.
“The two teams you can rely on are Man City and Liverpool. The rest will be competing. Nobody can tell me Spurs are guaranteed top four next season just because they have [Antonio] Conte. They will be in the fight like everyone else.
“If you stand still you are going backwards in the Premier League.
“Arsenal just need to recruit well and push on. The hope is the youngsters will be more consistent next season as well. That would give Arsenal a good chance. It is very small margins now.”
In other news, a finance guru has claimed the Arsenal board could sanction a ‘£100million’ outlay as ‘sweeping changes coming’.