Arsenal Vs Spurs: Top four and more very much on

Arsenal drew with Spurs on Saturday to end the day in fifth place. But a quick glance at the table will tell you that the top four and more is very much on.

A week ago, Arsenal looked like they might lose out on a top-four finish. Manchester United were resurgent, Chelsea were able to pick up points despite seeming anarchy everywhere else, and Spurs were presumed to be too far ahead to catch. Champions League qualification, through the Premier League, at least, seemed unlikely.

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However, after two wins and a draw in the last week, allied with Manchester United dropping points to Liverpool and Spurs losing twice, first to Burnley and then to Chelsea, a top-four finish seems right within reach of this team.

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As of writing, Arsenal sit in fifth position in the table. They are just one point behind Man. United, who were fortunate to beat Southampton, and are only four points behind Spurs. Chelsea have two games in hand, the first of which is against Fulham on Sunday, and are four points behind the Gunners. Two teams from four. It is very, very tight,

If you were to just look at that, you would perhaps make Arsenal the favourites to finish sixth. But that would be to deny all of the facts. First, there is form to consider. Spurs are struggling with injuries and questions about creativity, Chelsea are seemingly in a mire, while Unai Emery has led his team to five wins in their past seven league matches, their only dropped points coming away from home against Manchester City and Spurs.

And then there is the fixture list to consider. After Saturday’s North London Derby, Emery must prepare his team for just one more top-six tilt, that coming next weekend, at home against Man. Utd, which is precisely the team that they want to play to not only tally three points but dent a rival’s run.

Spurs, meanwhile, still have to play both Liverpool and Man. City, both of which are away from home, Chelsea must also travel to Liverpool, while Man Utd. will host the Manchester derby in late April. That Manchester derby also precedes a critical match against Chelsea by just four days. That match guarantees that at least one of the two top-four hopefuls will drop points.

Suddenly, hopes of finishing in the top four do not feel so stupid. In fact, I would almost suggest that it is likely, though perhaps only marginally. One thing going against the Gunners is that six of their remaining nine games are away from home, including awkward trips to Everton, Wolves, Leicester City, Burnley and Watford. But they are capable of winning these games, and they will not need to win them all to finish fourth.

For Emery, the goal of finishing in the top four in his first season is very much attainable. Arsenal are right in the thick of the race. And they might even finish third.