Ex-Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has claimed Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League depend on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
The Gunners are firmly in the race for top four places and are now level on points with fifth-placed West Ham.
Mikel Arteta’s men also boast of three games in hand over the Hammers and Manchester United.
Their last league outing saw Arsenal beat Brentford 2-1 at the Emirates, with goals from Smith Rowe and Saka.
Ferdinand has claimed that both of Arsenal’s academy graduates will be targeted by “big clubs” in the summer but has given credit to Arteta for placing his trust in the two youngsters.
“What I liked about this weekend is that all the teams going for fourth, bar West Ham, got positive results,” Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five podcast.
“You’ve got to perform now. Spurs won a game you didn’t expect them to win, Arsenal won and United won. I think it’s going to be out of those three to finish fourth.
“West Ham will put up a fight but come up a bit short just because of the [lack of] depth in their squad… but they’ll finish above Arsenal.”
Ferdinand added: “I think Saka and Smith Rowe, if anything happens to them they [Arsenal] are bang in trouble.”
0 Comments