Tim Sherwood expects Arsenal to see off Villarreal in the second-leg of their Europa League semi-final to set up what he predicts to be an all-English final later this month.
Arsenal go into the return tie against the Spanish side on Thursday evening 2-1 down following a poor performance in the first-leg. The Gunners could have been dead and buried in the contest after falling 2-0 down and seeing Dabi Ceballos sent off in the second half.
However, thanks to a Nicolas Pepe penalty Arteta's team have an away goal and some hope to turn things around at the Emirates Stadium.
With Manchester United 6-2 up against Roma after a fabulous second-half performance at Old Trafford, Sherwood has backed Arsenal to join them in the final on May 26.
The former Spurs manager believes the Gunners have enough about them to get past Villarreal and give themselves a shot at saving their disastrous season but has backed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team to emerge victorious.
Sherwood said that only a Europa League victory and with it Champions League qualification can save Arteta from the embarrassment of leading Arsenal to their 'worst season in recent history.'
The Gunners could be in the bottom half of the table before their next league game with Aston Villa just one point behind Arsenal and Villa have played one match fewer than Arteta's team.
"It would be the worst season Arsenal have had in recent history," Sherwood told Premier League Productions on the potential of an Arsenal defeat in the semi-final. ‘Fine margins, could end up winning it, qualify for the Champions League, brilliant.
"Would you put your money on it? I would put my money on them going through against Villarreal, I think they’re capable of doing that, I think they can score at the Emirates.
"Can they beat Man Utd in the final? Not on the evidence of what we’ve seen this season.
"But they have won some big games this year, but their consistency and confidence levels are very, very low at the moment."
Before facing Villarreal in the second-leg Arsenal are traveling to Newcastle to take on Steve Bruce's resurgent Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
With the league campaign destined for mid-table mediocrity the Best Arteta can hope for at St James' Park is to return with the teams confidence boosted and no injury concerns ahead of the crunch European clash.
