Jamie Carragher believes Newcastle United and Manchester City can still climb above Arsenal in the final weeks of the Premier League season.
The Gunners were sat just three points behind Liverpool on Christmas Day but failed to keep pace with Arne Slot’s side who were officially crowned champions last Sunday.
Arsenal have looked destined for runners up spot again but a run of three draws in their last four games however has seen the clutch of sides behind them jostling for Champions League qualification close the gap.
Arsenal head into the weekend on 67 points. Manchester City’s victory over Wolves on Friday night lifted them up into third place now just three points behind Arsenal with Newcastle in fourth on 62.
Chelsea are also within touching distance on 60 points along with Nottingham Forest. Aston Villa meanwhile are not out of the picture yet on 57 points.
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Arsenal are in action at home to Bournemouth on Saturday but Arteta is expected to make wholesale changes to his side with their Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain looming large next week.
With games against Newcastle and Liverpool also still to come, Carragher believes the Gunners could slip down to far as fourth.
‘I still think Newcastle and Manchester City can still actually catch Arsenal,’ Carragher told Sky Sports.
‘I do, just with the situation Arsenal have with the Champions League, they have got Bournemouth at home which won’t be easy.
‘Then they go to Anfield [next Sunday] and also have to play Newcastle as well. I think it goes right to the wire.’
Asked to give his top four prediction, Carragher added: ‘I keep changing. I’ve always had Nottingham Forest in but unfortunately I don’t think they are going to make it now.
I think Villa might make a late push. I still think Chelsea will find it difficult, looking at their fixtures.’
Villa can claw back some ground when they take on Fulham at home on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, Newcastle are on the road at Brighton with Chelsea hosting the newly-crowned champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Nottingham Forest, rocked by a 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford on Thursday, head to Crystal Palace on Monday night .