Former Germany and Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is disappointed that it is London rivals Tottenham Hotspur who are chasing the Premier League title and not Arsenal.
Lehmann, who was part of the 2003-04 team that went through the entire league season unbeaten reckons his former club have flattered to deceive again, as Arsene Wenger's men sit 13 points behind leaders Leicester City in fourth place.
Arsenal started the year at the top of the table, but have failed to get maximum points against Stoke City, Chelsea, Southampton, Swansea and Crystal Palace since.
"Have they thrown it away? Yes, it's a fact, of course they did. The table now is different," Lehmann said at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
"So of course I'm a little bit sad.
"The Arsenal when I played was probably a little bit different than it is now but that's football and it always contains disappointments for most of the teams who would like to win the trophy but don't manage to do that at the end of the season.
"Disappointment is a consistent follower of the daily football business."
With Tottenham Hotspur in imperious form all season, the traditional London rivalry has taken on an even greater significance, leaving Arsenal fans seething at the fact that their neighbours will likely finish the season ahead of them.
"I think this time it's a little bit more disappointing than before because everybody thought Leicester could be caught at the end of the season and they still could, but unfortunately by Spurs and not by Arsenal," he said.
"If you're an Arsenal supporter there have definitely been better times."
Lehmann was also quick to add that it is not just the Arsenal defence -- 34 goals conceded in the league this season -- that have to shoulder the blame, because football is a team game.
"From my experience defending is the responsibility of the whole team in modern football," he added.
"Arsenal can't say 'oh the defence,' you need to have the right balance and the right positioning on the pitch. You can't really blame the striker for not scoring when he doesn't get any deliveries. Probably the offensive guys don't track back really hard."
The Gunners now have a fight on their hands against Manchester City, with both teams sitting level on 60 points. The two teams will now slug it out to see who can gain direct qualification for the Champions League from third place, while the other will have to go through the playoff route should they finish fourth.