Arsene Wenger could find rallying his squad to secure fourth place a difficult task in the final weeks of the season, former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has warned.
Three draws in their past four league games have seen the Gunners slim title hopes vanish as Wenger’s side have slipped to fourth in the Premier League table, just five points clear of Manchester United, who have played one game fewer.
On Sunday Arsenal struggled to make their possession pay against Sunderland, with Olivier Giroud particularly unimpressive in a 0-0 draw that allowed Manchester City to keep hold of third spot.
With just three games left before the end of a disappointing season for Arsenal, in which the struggles of Chelsea and the Manchester sides seemed to have opened up the chance for a major title bid, Smith is concerned that the Gunners will struggle to rouse themselves to hold on to a Champions League berth.
"They've got to be extremely careful because they're not in the best of form and you hope the players can lift themselves," he told Sky Sports.
"Sometimes it is difficult to rally the troops to finish fourth - you're not actually going for any silverware - but it's hugely important for Arsenal.
"Manchester United are breathing down their necks and it's a challenge. Arsene Wenger has always done it and you fancy them to do it again.
How Arsenal fell out of the title race
"But there's an element of 'the season's over' for them and the players have been unable to sustain that title challenge. The shoulders drop a little bit and they come off it five or 10 per cent, that can be costly. They need to go again now really."
After his side’s draw with Sunderland goalkeeper Petr Cech admitted that Arsenal had all but given up on catching local rivals Tottenham in second place. Spurs are four points ahead of their north London rivals with a game in hand.
