Arsenal have ‘a massive advantage’ over their rivals in the race for a Champions League qualification spot, according to journalist Paul Brown.

The Gunners are aiming to return to Europe’s elite cup competition for the first time since 2016/17 under the stewardship of young manager Mikel Arteta.

What is the latest news involving Arsenal?

Under legendary boss Arsene Wenger, Arsenal were mainstays across continental competition, even reaching the Champions League final in 2006 before losing to Barcelona.

However, a trophyless campaign and an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last term saw the north London outfit fail to qualify for Europe for the first time in 26 years.

It was an embarrassing moment in Arsenal’s history that epitomised just how far they have fallen in recent years, yet they have shown some promising shoots of recovery in recent times.

Arteta’s charges are currently sitting in sixth position in the top-flight table, just four points behind Manchester United, who occupy the all-important fourth spot.

But the capital club also have three games in hand over the Red Devils, leaving them in a favourable situation as they enter the final few months of the season.

What has Brown said about Arsenal?

Although Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship outfit Nottingham Forest in just the third round, meaning they are now in just one competition.

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And Brown believes the absence of midweek games either at home or abroad will aid the Emirates Stadium outfit’s ambitions to finish in the top-four, allowing them to ‘concentrate’ solely on their league form.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think they've got a massive advantage because they're not in Europe, they're not playing for anything else really, and they can concentrate on just doing this and playing once a week. If anyone should get in there, it should be Arsenal.”

Will Arsenal finish in the top four?

According to Transfermarkt, Arsenal have the youngest squad in the Premier League this season, with an average age of just 24.2.

Their lack of experience has occasionally been prominent this season with their lack of consistency a major downfall, but there are certainly encouraging signs of progress.

The form of homegrown talents Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe – who have registered 22 goal contributions in the league between them – has been especially promising.

But their Champions League qualification hopes could come down to their remaining fixtures against rivals Wolves, United and West Ham.

If Arsenal can take all nine points off their fellow top-four hopefuls, then it could be a memorable campaign for Arteta’s charges.