Michael Owen explains why he has changed his mind on Arsenal's top-four chances

Michael Owen now sees Arsenal as a genuine contender to finish in the Premier League top four.

The Gunners have finished outside the Champions League qualification places for three consecutive seasons – two under Arsene Wenger and one since Unai Emery took charge.

They have had a solid start to this campaign, as they currently sit fourth after seven matches having lost just once.

Arsenal have also won both of their group games in the Europa League as well as progressing through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

But it is in the Premier League where Owen has changed his mind on Unai Emery’s side.

The former Liverpool striker has assessed Arsenal’s upcoming matches and does not see many problems for the north Londoners.

And he also says the struggles at Manchester United gives them a clearer run at the top four this season.

“I think Arsenal are the most consistent team that you can wish for in a way because they always beat the teams that you expect them to beat,” Owen said on BT Sport.

“Sheffield United away, that’s tricky for them, they’re not a good away team.

“In the Europa League I think they will win virtually every game, their group is weak and they blow teams away.

“Of course you’ve got the likes of Liverpool [in the cup] coming up and Wolves, Wolves will be tricky for them.

“But every other team, that’s a great run for them now and I expect them to have a good season.

“It’s the first time in a long while I’ve looked at Arsenal and though ‘do you know what? It is a top-four team now, it’s got a chance of being in the top four’.

“Partly because Manchester United are slipping away, but I’ve always seen them as sort of fifth and sixth and just a nearly team for the last decade.

“Actually, I look at them now and think ‘do you know what? [They can reach] the top four.”

source: express.co.uk