Club legend Liam Brady says that Arsenal were hard done by against Watford on Saturday due to the award of a penalty for a dive, but that the team’s reaction to that setback demonstrated the mental weakness that has been witnessed countless times before.

He also suggests that the top four will be out of reach this season, and that the best chance of getting into the Champions League next season will come via potential success in the Europa League.

Speaking on The Stand podcast with Eamon Dunphy, Brady was asked about the Gunners third away defeat on the road this season, and the award of what was a contentious penalty despite the fact that Richarlison will face no retrospective punishment.

That was crucial, without that they probably would have gone on and won the match,” he said, “but it did show their frailties and how fragile they are as a team.

“I’ve watched Arsenal a lot this season and they were on a good run going up to Watford, but I still wasn’t confident because we were playing teams that we really didn’t have to do much to beat.

“I’ve got major doubts about, every time we come against a team with character and strength, are we up for it. Can Arsenal cope with it?

“And I think it’s going to be a season where we won’t threaten to the top four, and I think it’s going to be a season where getting into the Champions League relies on the Europa League, where we would have a chance of winning it when we get into the latter stages and he [Arsene Wenger] puts his best team out.”

Europa League all the way!