Former Chelsea and Arsenal defensive midfielder Emmanuel Petit has picked the top four teams in the Premier League after Newcastle’s impressive 2-1 win over Tottenham at the New Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium.
Newcastle United are now fourth in the Premier League with 21 points, on the same points as fifth-place Chelsea and one point ahead of Manchester United who are on 20 points.
The former French international has sent a top-four warning to Chelsea and Manchester United after their statement win over Tottenham. With their super-rich owners, Newcastle United may strengthen their squad in the January transfer window in a bid for a top-four finish.
What are Emmanuel Petit’s top four predictions?
Emmanuel Petit said on Ladbrokes: “Manchester City will obviously make the top four. Then behind them, I think Arsenal and Liverpool will be there, which leaves four clubs, for me, battling for the fourth spot.
“I don’t think Tottenham will qualify for the Champions League; I think they’re going to have a difficult season.
“I also think Chelsea have had too many troubles over the last six months or so for anyone to confidently back them to make the top four, they’ve had too many injuries to players and problems off the pitch, so I think they’ll miss out.
“I’ll throw a surprise in there and say Newcastle finish fourth. I can see their owners being active once again in the January transfer window, and they’re not playing in a European competition which will be a massive benefit for them in the latter stages of the season.
“They’re improving a lot, and they don’t have many players involved in the World Cup. That’s definitely going to make a massive difference, so I’ll put them in fourth place.”
Petit added Arsenal will return to the Champions League next season but doubt their chance of winning the Premier League this season.
Emmanuel Petit added: “For me, Arsenal isn’t in a title race. It’s too early for this team, and I don’t think there’s enough depth in this squad to compete in every single competition.
“Team energy is so precious in the second half of the season, especially with the World Cup coming in just a few weeks from now. There are a lot of players from Arsenal who will be competing in the World Cup… that’s a big problem for Mikel Arteta.
“It’s just too early for this team to challenge for the title, in my opinion. They’re in a really good place right now and look like they’re back on track – I’m very impressed with the standards and how they’ve improved in the last two years.
“It would be a big achievement for this side if they can finish in the top four – it would be a huge improvement on last season as well, especially when you look at how they missed out in the last few games.”
