Paul Jewell believes Arsenal would have made worthy champions this season as he prepares his Derby side for Monday's clash at Pride Park.The relegated Rams host Arsene Wenger's side at Pride Park on Monday night bidding to end a run of 29 Premier League games without a victory.
And Jewell is well aware his side will have their work cut out against a Gunners team he fancied to go on and win the title.
The Gunners topped the table for six months of the campaign until a miserable run of four draws and a defeat saw their hopes of a first championship in four years slip away.
Wenger's side now have nothing left to play for following their Champions League exit at the hands of Liverpool earlier this month and look set to finish third after defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United.
It is a position Jewell, who is yet to win a league game since his arrival in November, would happily trade given the lacklustre Rams' current plight.
However, he revealed he still has a degree of sympathy for opposite number Wenger.
"They're unbelievably talented and they play beautiful football, maybe they just tired a bit," Jewell said. "I don't know, Arsene will be the man to tell you that.
"They've had some bad luck I guess, the penalty they had against Liverpool in the Champions League, the late goal against Birmingham - was it a penalty, wasn't it a penalty?
"A few decisions have gone against them and their season has just faded a little bit."
The Gunners ran out 5-0 winners when the Rams, then managed by Billy Davies, visited Pride Park in September.
Jewell rates the north London side as second to none for entertainment value, revealing he loves to watch their free-flowing brand of football.
County have gone on to concede 76 times this season, and Jewell concedes he is unlikely to enjoy the experience of watching Wenger's men in action come Monday.
He added: "They are a terrific team to watch when you are not playing against them. They will be a little bit disappointed they have fallen away.
"The Champions League has obviously hurt them. I thought they would win the league, I think they have just tired a bit.
"I think Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have bigger squads but I would say Arsenal on their day are the best team in the country to watch.
"There's not a lot to choose between them and Manchester United but when you see some of the football they play it's just sensational, it can blow you away.
"They are a terrific team with a terrific manager and probably deserve to win something for the football they have played this season but I'm sure they will sort that out next year."
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