Former Arsenal player Charlie Nicholas is backing the Gunners to finish above Tottenham in the race for the top four.

Unai Emery’s side are currently just one point off Spurs in third heading into the final eight matches of the season.

Nicholas believes Arsenal’s easier fixture list will help them leapfrog their North London rivals and finish third:

‘Arsenal have the best run-in so I am going to go with Arsenal in third. ‘Tottenham are in free-fall at the moment and have to go Liverpool and Man City.”

The Gunners don’t have to play any of the other ‘big six’ again before the end of the season while, as Nicholas mentions, Tottenham still have away games against the top two.

With Mauricio Pochettino’s side having been drawn against City in the Champions League quarter-finals, as well, it means Spurs will have a very tough fixture list in the middle of next month.

In contrast, Arsenal will play Everton, Watford and Crystal Palace either side of their Europe League games against Napoli.

With Manchester United also having to face their city rivals and Chelsea next month too, a top-four finish is certainly a distinct possibility for the Gunners.