The nightmare scenario that would see Arsenal MISS OUT on top-five finish

ARSENAL are out of the Champions League and no longer able to win a trophy from a season that promised so much.

But that doesn't mean Mikel Arteta's side have nothing to play for.

With Man City finding some form in third place and now just three points behind the Gunners, the prospect of Pep Guardiola maintaining his record of finishing above the Gunners in every season he's managed in England looms large.

Although they have had some memorable nights in Europe, Arteta's men could hardly be more out of form in the Premier League.

They have won just three of their last ten matches, allowing Liverpool to stroll to the title.

However, there is a greater danger lurking than just wounded pride if an underwhelming end to the season sees Arsenal unable to manage a second placed finish.

That is because there is still the possibility of missing out on Champions League football altogether.

This season, it should be easier than any other to secure a place in Europe's elite club competition.

That's because the top five will qualify for the Champions League as a result of the Premier League being one of the two strongest in European competition this season.

But Arsenal still have work to do with City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa all capable of overtaking them.

Arsenal's next game is a trip to newly-crowned champions Liverpool, where they'll hope to break an Anfield duck that has lasted 13 years.

Lukasz Podolski and Santi Cazorla were the scorers when Arsenal last won at Liverpool back in September 2012.

They then have the all-important home game with fourth-placed Newcastle, who are on 63 points.

Should they win that match, they would reach 70 points and automatically qualify for the Champions League.

Aston Villa, in seventh, are currently on 60 points and would be unable to catch Arsenal in that scenario.

Sixth placed Nottingham Forest, on 61 points, and fifth placed Chelsea, on 63 points, still have to play each other, meaning only one of the two teams can reach 70 points.

Fortunately for Arsenal, they then face a final-day trip to a Southampton side who will go down as the joint-worst in Premier League history if they are unable to pick up another point in their final three matches.

If Arsenal can pick up two points from their games against Liverpool, Newcastle and Southampton, that should be enough for Champions League qualification.

That's because their goal difference is 12 goals better than Newcastle and Chelsea, 21 better than Nottingham Forest and 27 better than Aston Villa.

But if they pick up a point or less, that will open the door to all their rivals.

Aston Villa will need to win their three games against Bournemouth, Tottenham and Man Utd to have any chance of finishing above Arsenal.

While a point for the Gunners will mean Nottingham Forest would also need to win their remaining three games to finish above them.