Paul Merson thinks Arsenal will finish behind Spurs once again next season as things currently stand, after the Gunners secured an eighth-placed finish yesterday.
The 3-2 win over relegated Watford means Mikel Arteta's side ended up three points behind north London rivals Tottenham, who were sixth and secured a Europa League spot for next season.
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, who lined out at Highbury for 14 years, says he expects Tottenham to potentially hold onto their slight edge heading into the 2020/21 Premier League season.
"That's not a fair question! But if you're asking me as a neutral, I would probably say Tottenham would finish above Arsenal at the moment.
"I only say that because of the Aubameyang situation, and Mourinho I still think is one of the best managers in the world of football. I just think Tottenham have got to buy into the way he plays.
"Tottenham have a massive new stadium with no fans allowed in at the moment... if Man United come in with an outrageous bid for Harry Kane, who is the best forward in the league, I don't see how they keep him.
"Aubameyang hasn't signed yet, and everybody wants centre-forwards!"
David Luiz gave away five penalties over the course of the season, and had plenty of ups and downs - Merson thinks all the blame for an under-performing season can't be placed on the Brazilian.
"It tells you everything about Arsenal - when you have to play three at the back your centre-halves are not that good.
"David Luiz is black or white, there's no grey areas. He's either a nine out of ten or he's a four out of ten. He's not going to give you a seven out of ten for ten games on the trot, he's just not going to do it.
"But, he might give you four games of eight or nine on the trot and then easily give you three games on the trot of four out of ten.
"I don't think he's the major problem. They need centre-halves... you hear they're looking at [John] Stones. He's another one - on their day top, top drawer, but got another five or six out of ten in his bag every now and then.
"When you're playing at top clubs like Arsenal or Man City you can't afford that."
Arsenal take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final this weekend, with hopes that a trophy could see them end their season on a high. Merson though insists piles of money wouldn't necessarily mean Arsenal improve their standing next season.
Arsenal's David Luiz leaves the field after getting a red card during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, June 17, 2020. The English Premier League resumes Wednesday after its three-month suspension because of the coronavirus outbreak. (Laurence Griffiths/Pool via AP)"Liverpool and Man City are so far ahead. If the board went to Arteta now and [gave him] £200 million, that still could not assure them of [qualifying for] Champions League football next season.
"That's a lot of money. And this is the problem we have now, £200 million four or five years ago, because teams were quite level, would probably assure you of top four football.
"It's hard to spend £200 million, and then all of a sudden, Arsenal come sixth or seventh - it wouldn't shock you.
"I like Arteta... for the first time over the last month or so I've watched Arsenal and thought 'You know what, I know what they're doing here.'
"They've got a plan, they're closing down together, they've got a high tempo, and you can see what Arteta is trying to do and I like that. But is that going to give you top four next season? It's going to be difficult.
"Chelsea have bought unbelievably well so far, they probably need another centre-half and left-back. Man United could probably go and get Harry Kane if they put the boat out for £120 million, I think they'd become massive players as well. Next season is going to be realy, really, really good.
"Man City can't be worse than they were this season, and Liverpool are just consistently good. For me, next season is going to be massive."
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