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Paul Merson has claimed that Arsenal players will be asking to leave if they fail to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Mikel Arteta 's side were four points clear of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur just over a week ago but they now find themselves two points behind the Lillywhites going into the final Premier League matchday of the season following back-to-back defeats. Monday night's trip to St. James' Park saw the Gunners defeated 2-0 and former Arsenal star Merson has now claimed that the Magpies could finish above his old side.

Writing in his Daily Star column, Merson said: "Newcastle could actually finish above Arsenal next season based on what I saw the other night. I'm not saying they will. But I was flabbergasted by what I saw in that game."

Merson also went on to claim that he thinks some players within Arteta's squad will want to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer following a disappointing end to the campaign.

He added: "And I guarantee you there will players at Arsenal now saying: 'I want to leave if we don't get Champions League football.' That's what sickens me the most. But they had their chance to qualify and they melted! It was bad enough they got thrashed by Tottenham. But then to lose to