Arsenal: 4 things Arteta’s side must avoid to secure top four

So much can change in such a short space of time. Arsenal were out for the count, beleaguered and broken, while Tottenham couldn’t stop scoring. Look at the situation now.

Having scored just twice with their previous 73 attempts at goal, including a heavily deflected strike from distance, Arsenal then went to Stamford Bridge and scored with all four of their shots on target before making it seven goals in two games just a few days later..

The mood has shifted dramatically. Even if it’s easy to get caught up in the emotions, having witnessed three successive defeats brought upon by three mediocre performances it was hard to see where this side would get a goal, let alone a win.

Yet, a ruthlessly efficient display at the home of the European champions was followed by a horrendously chaotic win over Manchester United, one that saw the Gunners ride their luck in order to claim a 3-1 win.

4 things Arsenal must avoid in the Premier League if they are to secure a top four place ahead of Tottenham

Certainly getting the rub of the green, they also had the rub of the woodwork to thank when Bruno Fernandes stroked his penalty wide.

All the while, Tottenham have now gone 180 minutes of Premier League football without having a shot on target. One of those games ended in a deserved home defeat, while the other they will be counting their lucky stars they managed to salvage a draw from after Brentford twice struck the frame of the goal.

Heading into the final five matches of the season, Mikel Arteta’s side boast two point lead over their north London rivals, which is quite the turnaround given the events of early April. Football is a weird sport sometimes, just as it can be cruel, and there are sure to be more twists and turns before the final day.

In order to help them secure the ultimate goal of a return to the Champions League they will quite simply need to keep winning games. To give them a helping hand, however, there are four things they must avoid.

1. Keep the Chaos to a Minimum

Chaotic doesn’t even come close to explaining the last 180 minutes of Premier League football the supporters have witnessed. Sometimes the carnage can favour you, just as it can be your downfall.

Against Chelsea the madcap nature of the game arguably favoured Arsenal. For a side struggling to find the back of the net they needed another team to open up and allow them to be played through, with this team being a side who can pick apart the very best in transition. How did Arteta quell the chaos? The cult-favourite Rob Holding low block.

When the game descended into insanity against United, it did not do so to Arsenal’s benefit. Defensive disasters where unforced errors were handing opportunities on a plate to the opposition, play this game out on another day, perhaps with another referee, and Arsenal do not win it 3-1.

How did Arteta quell the chaos on that occasion? The cult-favourite Rob Holding low block.

But the answer is not to start games with a back five. Ideally it doesn’t come into play at all. What Arsenal have to do is curb their nerves, as hard as that may be to do. Mental and physical fatigue will have played a part in the victory over the Red Devils, yet level-headedness needs to be unearthed if this side are to avoid letting the football gods decide their matches.

Fortunately two of the toughest games on paper are gone and short turnover times won’t return, so clawing back some control and calmness at the back may be easier with more resting time.

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2. Arsenal Can’t Suffer Any More Injuries

The sight of Takehiro Tomiyasu returning to the pitch late on against Manchester United prompted joyous cheers from the home support. A lot of that will have been due to relief, above anything else.

While those who have filled in have performed valiantly, the bottom line is that this team needs everyone it can get to see them through the final run-in, irrespective of how few games remain. What the injuries to Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey have done is weaken the team tremendously, in the starting lineup and in terms of depth.

Arteta saying after the most recent game that five or six players were carrying knocks is concerning. So too is seeing Bukayo Saka forced out with thigh trouble. The team is being stretched as it is and while there is not much longer to go and adequate recovery time between matches, everyone’s fitness needs maintaining as best it can.

If White is feeling something late on in a game, take him off. Don’t risk him. If Xhaka is feeling something late on in a game, take him off (that will never happen, of course). Don’t risk him.

With the way the squad is now – extremely reliant on a select few – one more absentee, even for just one game, could be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Easier said than done, but no more injuries. Please.

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3. Keep Changes to a Minimum

In terms of the starting lineup, Arsenal must avoid making any more big changes to the side.

• Nketiah is the No. 9 now, keep him there
• Mohamed Elneny has been excellent in midfield, keep him there
• Don’t move Xhaka to left-back

What Arteta did away at Chelsea was understandably implement a gameplan to match the high quality of opposition. It worked. But what he has found is the right personnel to see him through until the season’s end. Granted, with Tomiyasu is back he should come into the fold, and while the shape will change from time to time during matches, there is no reason not to stick with those who’ve won the last two games.

For the most part Arsenal have now settled on a 4-2-3-1. Keep that in place.

Nketiah has proven himself more than worthy of starting in the No. 9 position for each of the remaining matches, Elneny has cemented his place in the team, and Xhaka should never be moved to left-back ever again – even with Nuno’s self destruct against United.

There is clear short-term planning being favoured over long-term targets with the team selections Arteta is making, especially with Elneny over Sambi, and now he’s gone with them he should stick to them.

This team has settled somewhat after the damaging injuries and three successive defeats, and there is no reason to over-complicate from hereon in.

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4. Do Not Lose the North London Derby

It’s quite simple. Avoid defeat in the North London Derby. Victory could potentially clinch a fourth spot for Arsenal depending on other results elsewhere, but above anything else, under every single circumstance, do not lose that game.

Such is the way that the table and the fixtures are that Arsenal need to only match Spurs’ results to clinch the final Premier League spot. That is the goal at hand.

Before the derby comes around each side has two matches to play: Arsenal travel to West Ham and host Leeds, while Spurs welcome Leicester and travel to Anfield. Of the two you know which fixtures you’d rather have.

That said, there is no knowing how either match may turn out. Such may be the turn of events that Arsenal may need to go to Spurs having to win the game. And, of course, winning would be the most favourable outcome. The aim isn’t to go there for a draw. But, without knowing the state of play prior to the game, in a fixture that Arsenal haven’t won on the road since 2015, just make sure not to lose it.

Having an away trip to Newcastle and a home visit of a dire Everton team, they should be the games where Arsenal’s fate is in their own hands.

Victory over Spurs at their new ground for the first time, with three points that could effectively seal a Champions League return, would be stupendous. The emotion would be on another level. Heck, the All or Nothing documentary may peak.

But losing that game, when Spurs have Burnley and Norwich to finish the season, would be catastrophic. Go for the win, but for heaven’s sake, don’t lose it.