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Arsenal Vs West Ham United: 5 things we learned – Champions League hopes alive

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Michail Antonio of West Ham United battles for possession with Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Michail Antonio of West Ham United battles for possession with Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal embraces his coaching staff following his sides victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal embraces his coaching staff following his sides victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

1. Champions League hopes alive… just

After humiliation in the Europa League last week, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has just one chance to kickstart his era with the crucial finance-bumping qualification for next season’s Champions League: finish in the top five of the Premier League. After Saturday’s narrow victory, that chance is still alive… just.

Arsenal did not deserve to beat West Ham. In fact, you could argue that they conceded the better chances and would have been entirely fortunate to come away with even a draw. But got the win they did, and it now puts them in a position to claw their way back into the Champions League race.

They have now moved to within five points of Chelsea in fifth, three points of Wolves in fourth, two points of Man. Utd in sixth and level on points with Tottenham. As of writing, Chelsea, Man. Utd and Spurs all have to play this weekend. Any dropped points will see the Gunners make precious ground on their rivals, while Wolves only drew with Brighton. Sheffield United, meanwhile, beat Norwich City and should be discounted from the race.

Next. Arsenal Vs West Ham United: Player ratings. dark

All in all, it leaves the situation as murky as can be. Any predictions are futile and there are many ways the cookie can crumble between now and the end of the year. Nevertheless, Arsenal are in the race, and just a few weeks ago, even that looked out of reach.