Carra: I fear for Arteta | Nev: I never trusted Arsenal

Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle was a huge blow to their top-four hopes with Jamie Carragher now fearing for Mikel Arteta.

Ben White's own goal and Bruno Guimaraes' late strike mean that Arsenal remain two points behind Tottenham going into the final game of the season, with Spurs needing only a draw to finish fourth given their far superior goal difference.

Asked if their hopes of Champions League qualification were over, Carragher said: "Yes. Spurs are not losing from that position. Arsenal know it. There is nobody in world football who thinks Arsenal will make Champions League football off the back of that. No chance."

Carragher was highly critical of the performance at St James' Park as Newcastle dominated possession from the outset with Arsenal struggling to muster much at the other end.

"I thought they were awful. And I have been a big supporter of Mikel Arteta and this Arsenal team because since I have started at Sky I have got sick of saying the same things about Arsenal. I was sick of it myself. I actually enjoyed seeing young players I could get behind.

"I think the fans could get behind it. They almost accepted they would not be challenging for honours but there was something building. But that performance today was bad. That was a cup final today, we know how important Champions League is.

"To be that poor in the first half and then produce that in the second half, it is not acceptable. It was not the result, it was the manner of the result, they were awful from minute one."

The defeat consigns Arsenal to the Europa League and Carragher believes that will have far-reaching ramification for the Gunners - and their coach.

"I think that is a problem not just this season but I think it is a huge problem for