Former Gunner Charlie Nicholas is probably the only pundit on the planet tipping Arsenal to finish in the top four come May.

Nicholas reckons that Manchester City will win the title (obviously), although not unbeaten. He also made the bold prediction that United will finish second and Arsenal will take third, followed by Spurs.

What’s more, the ex-forward doesn’t think Liverpool and, even more surprisingly, Chelsea will manage to earn one of the coveted Champions League spots.

“I’m pleasantly surprised Arsenal are above Liverpool and Tottenham, although for me it’s not about a north London battle for us. You’ve got to compete with Manchester City but that’s not really happening,” the pundit told Sky Sports.

“I don’t think there’s much in it for the Champions League places. People are talking about a two-horse race but I don’t really see United in with a chance. They simply have to beat City in the huge Super Sunday coming up.

“There’s not much between second and sixth but City will also drop at some points, especially coming into this part of the season where so much can change as the games come thick and fast.

“The top six can all beat each other and through the weekend there were so many problems for each side, with lucky decisions benefiting a few of them, so there’s so much tremendous conversation for us to have on Soccer Saturday.

“We were raving about Spurs three weeks ago after suggestions of the ‘Harry Kane team’ and all of a sudden we’re asking whether they can cope without Toby Alderweireld, while we wrote Arsenal off a few weeks ago and now they’re in the top four.“I think it will be the two Manchester clubs and then, with the squad to rotate enough to deal with the Europa League, I’d go for Arsenal, then I’d add Tottenham because there’s still too many question marks about Chelsea and Liverpool.”

Despite storming to the Premier League title after getting beaten at the Emirates, Chelsea have looked pretty mediocre this term. As have Liverpool, despite the fact that they thumped Arsene Wenger’s men 4-0 back in August.

Would I tip Arsenal to finish in the top four? Not at the moment. Although we were brilliant against Spurs, that’s just one good performance to several poor. Plus, as a Gooner, I’m not willing to get my hopes up again.

Obviously, we’ve still not even passed Christmas yet, which is where Nicholas reckons City will drop some points. However, everything can either continue to go reasonably well, or it can go very, very wrong in that time.

It’s nice of Charlie to still have faith in us. Even if half of our own players don’t. Perhaps I’m the one who needs to be more positive.