Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: A real opportunity

Arsenal have a real opportunity against Newcastle United on Monday to establish themselves as the favourites for a top-four finish. They cannot afford to squander it.

The aim at the start of the season was two-fold: There was the unquantifiable idea of progress and improvement, under the guidance of new head coach Unai Emery, and the very testable, black-and-white goal of re-attaining Champions League, ideally through a top-four finish in the Premier League or via winning the Europa League.

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Eight months later, Arsenal are right in the mix to meet both targets. There have been marked improvements throughout the team, both in the individual performances of the players and in the collective system and set-up implemented, and they sit within striking distance of both a top-four finish and a Europa League victory.

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After the March international break, it was the Premier League that returned to the forefront of the footballing world this weekend. Sadly for Arsenal, they do not play until Monday night, hosting Newcastle United at the Emirates. But with the way the table and fixtures have fallen in recent weeks, Emery and his players have been handed the perfect opportunity to truly establish themselves as favourites for a top-four finish.

Manchester United and Chelsea may have both scraped 2-1 wins against lesser opposition, the latter of which was extremely fortunate to get away with a Cesar Azpilicueta offside goal, but Tottenham Hotspur did what Tottenham Hotspur do and conceded a comical last-minute own goal to hand Liverpool victory after squandering two gilt-edged counter-attacking opportunities of their own only moments before.

The Spurs defeat now puts Arsenal in fifth place, just one point behind their north London rivals and Ole Gunnar Soljskaer’s rejuvenated but vulnerable United, with a game in hand on all of their rivals. And Monday’s match against Newcastle is that game in hand, until the midweek fixtures, at least.

Win against Newcastle and Emery could move his team into third position in the table, two points clear of Spurs and United and three points clear of Chelsea. What is also significant is the goal difference. Arsenal, on +24, are level with Spurs, five clear of United and six clear of Chelsea. At this stage in the season, that is like an extra point in the bag, especially if they win well on Monday.

This fixture, then, is a unique opportunity for the Gunners. It is one that they cannot afford to squander. Not only would it stall momentum entering the final stanza of the season just after an international break and scupper the chance to attain precious points, but it would also scupper one of only three remaining homes games. Given the away form, those three matches at the Emirates are invaluable and cannot be wasted.

Monday night against Newcastle United, then, is a real opportunity for the club to stake a claim as the favourites for a top-four and even top-three finish. So why does that give me an awful feeling of dread?