Arsenal legend Perry Groves says the prospect of losing fourth place to Tottenham is like ‘your wife running off with the school bully’.
The Gunners all-but handed Champions League qualification to their north London rivals with a toothless 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on Monday night.
Having demolished Arsenal last Thursday, Spurs now require only a draw against rock-bottom Norwich on the final day of the Premier League season to seal what looked like an unlikely top-four finish.
Antonio Conte’s men were four points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s side before the north London derby and destiny has been in Arsenal’s hands for months.
“It hurts. It’s like finding out your wife is going to leave you,” Gunners legend Groves told the Sports Bar.
“It’s not like she’s running away with your best friend, it’s like she’s running away with the person who used to bully you at school.
“That’s how bad it is. That’s how dark I feel.”
The former winger, who made more than 150 appearances for Arsenal, insists the performance at Newcastle was worse than the north London derby defeat.
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While Arsenal were damaged by a controversial penalty and an early red card for Rob Holding at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, they were simply outplayed at St James’ Park and there could be no excuses.
“I actually think tonight was worse,” Groves added. “It’s horrible getting beat by your local rivals and we know the animosity that goes on.
“But tonight, there’s no reaction. With a group of young players, there was no belief.
“First 20 minutes against Spurs was OK. The penalty and red card changed the game.
“Aaron Ramsdale summed up how Arsenal were feeling at Newcastle, in the first 20 minutes, he looked very nervy.
“It’s a bit of know-how. Can you ride through these tough periods?
“When you’re under pressure, all the top teams know how to win those games. Even if you’re not playing particularly well and you have to scrap it out.”
Groves added: “At the beginning of the season, if you were offered two wins to get into top four, every Arsenal fan would’ve snapped your hand off.
“Then you get there, and with three games to go, you’re four points in front of Spurs and you let it slip.
“Arsenal have excellent young players but there’s a lack of leadership.”
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