Arsenal Vs Leicester City: Please, for the love of God…

Arsenal just need to beat Leicester City. I don’t care how. They just need to win. Please, for the love of God, don’t disappoint again.

Coming off Spurs’ loss to Manchester City and Manchester United’s shock embarrassment at Everton, Arsenal were handed a unique chance to take charge in the top-four race. With a win over Crystal Palace, they could move into third position, above Spurs, and more than a win clear of both Chelsea and Man. Utd.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Pragmatism, clean sheets, and Unai Emery

Prior to that match, I wrote and spoke at length about the need to win and that the opportunity of a good result could not afford to be squandered. The result was all that mattered. But, predictably, the Gunners disappointed.

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Then, three days later, after they were handed a second chance by Burnley holding Chelsea to a draw on Monday, I wrote the following piece prior to a trip to Wolves: ‘Arsenal Vs Wolves: Literally, only one thing matters’. My point was simple: I don’t care how, just win the game, because the chance to seize a top-four finish still, somehow, exists. Predictably, again, the north London donkeys disappointed once more.

And now, another three days later, Unai Emery takes his side to the King Power Stadium to take on a dangerous Leicester City side. And, yes, the same argument exists from before: just win the bleeding game. By hook or by crook, with a goal off your knee or in a 5-4 thriller, I do not care how. Just win the game. And please, for the love of God, do not disappoint once again.

I think what is so exasperating about being an Arsenal fan, as my Dad often points out, is that everyone is quite aware of what they are capable of. It is, as they say, the hope that kills, and Gooners have plenty of hope and very little success. This week proves precisely that.

Entering the weekend’s fixtures, I was almost coming around to the idea that it was likely that Emery would lead the club to a top-four finish. Then Spurs lost, as expected, and then Man. Utd lost. At that point, my expectations, foolishly, were through the roof. The exact same depressing process happened prior to the Wolves match. Hope. And then despair.

And now I have some — some — hope again. I am not as expectant as last weekend, but there is still a feasible chance that the Gunners can end the season in the top four. Even more than that, they could move ahead of Chelsea by the time the weekend is up, with their most difficult games having been played.

I am now of the thinking that if Arsenal win their remaining three matches, they will finish in the top four. And that is a dangerous place to be in. History proves as much. So please, for the love of God, don’t let me down for a third time.