Martin Keown has credited Unai Emery with having a huge influence on Arsenal's failed attempt to win the Premier League title.
The Gunners went to the last day and were left without the crown. city of manchester.
Pep Guardiola's team achieved a 3-1 victory over West Ham on the final day to claim their fourth consecutive title, meaning that ArsenalThe 2-1 win over Everton meant little as they finished second.
Mikel Arteta They will no doubt review their results this season and try to identify where things went wrong, with the two games against Aston Villa being a big problem.
Villa recorded a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Villa Park in December, before claiming a 2-0 victory against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium last month thanks to goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.
Former Arsenal manager Emery has clearly outplayed Arteta this season and, according to former Invincible Keown, can take some of the credit for Man City's title win.
Speaking about White and Jordan, Keown said: “I think the reason Arsenal didn't win the league was really because Unai Emery.
“He took six points off Arsenal and I'm going to say this because I'm really sorry, he's like a swan on the surface: very calm and plays respectfully against his old team, but deep down he's desperate.
“Those little feet are going crazy to beat Arsenal and they did it.
“It stopped Arsenal from winning the league and it's ironic, I played for both big clubs but Villa have been incredible.
“They started the season by conceding five goals and ended it by conceding five goals, but between them they finished in the top four.
“They had a lot to say about who won the Premier League this year.”
With five points separating Man City and Arsenal last season, the fact that the gap was reduced to just two strongly suggests that the two teams are getting closer to being a close match.
According to Keown, the Gunners must go one step further next time.
He said: “The level City set is the benchmark and I think Arsenal are catching up very quickly.
“That's what Rodri did, he wanted to send a message that they are the best and he almost set it for next year.
“If I'm an Arsenal player now, you go away, you think about it, you use it as oxygen and you come back shooting.”