Smith highlights Arsenal’s ‘tight team spirit’ as he makes top four call

Lewis Oldham
Alan Smith on Arsenal

Alan Smith has suggested that Arsenal have a “tight team spirit” at the moment and he has predicted who will finish fourth in the Premier League.

The Gunners currently sit fourth in the table. The likes of Tottenham, Manchester United and West Ham United are to challenge them for that spot before the season ends.

Spurs can overtake their rivals if they make the most of their games in hand. They face Arsenal in the latest North London derby on Sunday.


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Mikel Arteta’s side are in the market for new recruits this month. They have been heavily linked with Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic. 

Smith has been asked who he thinks will finish in the top four. He started off his explanation by stating he is “sure” that the top three will be Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea:

“There’s a seven-point gap to Liverpool in third so it looks like it will be difficult to catch Jurgen Klopp’s side, Chelsea and the league leaders Manchester City,” Smith told Sky Sports.

“I know there are games in hand for plenty of teams but City, Chelsea and Liverpool are the three best teams in the country.

“Pep Guardiola’s side are the best by some distance, to be honest, but those three teams will make up the top three I’m sure.”

Smith went onto back Arsenal to finish fourth in the Premier League:

“It’s a really difficult one to call. I can’t see Manchester United doing it. I just can’t see them getting there with the way they’ve been playing.

“There might be a resurgence, we will wait and see. But there seem to be too many problems to fix at Old Trafford at the moment.

“For me, it might just be between the two north London clubs, Arsenal and Tottenham, which would be very interesting.

“Perhaps West Ham’s squad might just not be strong enough. Especially if Michail Antonio picked up an injury.

“Obviously Spurs have got a couple of games in hand and were they to win those, they would go above the Gunners, but I’m just going to side with Arsenal.

“I’m going with Arteta’s side because they have come a long way this season. There’s a tight team spirit at the Emirates Stadium.

“There is less to sort out there than at Tottenham so that’s why I’ll go for my former team.”