Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher ‘really fears’ for Mikel Arteta after Arsenal all but blow top-four hopes

Jamie Carragher says he ‘really fears’ for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal team after the Gunners all but blew their top-four hopes by losing to Newcastle United.

Arsenal travelled to St James’ Park on Monday night knowing two wins from their last two games would have seen them secure Champions League football and finish above north London rivals Tottenham.

But a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle – and last week’s derby loss – has seen Arsenal forfeit the initiative and sit fifth in the Premier League ahead of the final day of the season.

Tottenham, two points above Arsenal with a superior goal difference, now need just a point from Sunday’s match against bottom-placed Norwich City to finish in the top four.

‘I think that is a problem not just this season but I think it is a huge problem for Mikel Arteta and this Arsenal team going forward,’ Carragher said on Sky Sports.

‘Europa League next season, Thursday, Sunday. I think they have had their opportunity this season – a big one – having no European football. That was a big advantage for them.

‘They are not in the four best sides in the country but they had an advantage on the other teams and they still haven’t made it pay. I fear for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta next season.

‘I think it is going to be tough for him. I think this will be a game that will be looked back on when he eventually leaves the club. This is Arteta’s first job so he doesn’t really have that belief behind him.

‘If Antonio Conte has a bad time, you know he won the league at Chelsea, at Inter Milan. You have got that feeling that he has done it before and he knows what he is doing.

‘Arteta has never done it before. That is not a criticism, it is just a fact. He needed that tonight.

‘I really fear for him next season and if