Arsenal: 4 big hopes in the quest for a top four place

Arsenal are where they are on merit. They’ve warranted being in this position as, to date, they’ve been the fourth best side in the Premier League. That’s generally how tables work.

Some sides may scrape their way into certain places with luck on their side, and others may drop down the table because they’ve been rocked by injuries. But nevertheless, come the final day of the campaign, where you end up is more often than not where you deserve to be.

That doesn’t mean everything is within your control, however. It was out of Arsenal’s hands that Bruno Fernandes hilariously missed his penalty in the 3-1 win over Manchester United. Just as it was beyond the Gunners’ control when Fraser Forster turned into Gianluigi Buffon for an afternoon.

Improvements across the team and its individuals have made Champions League football a possibility, one that is up to five matches away from being determined. Arsenal can only control their results in the run-in, with all else being left to hope.

Arsenal: 4 big hopes in the quest for a Premier League top four place as there are elements of the run-in that are beyond the Gunners’ control

As Mikel Arteta’s men bid for their first taste of elite European competition for five seasons, they have their own destiny firmly in their hands. Win their games, or just match Spurs’ results, and it is theirs.

What about the other elements? Forget about that which they can determine, what is it that they can’t control that comes down to a bit of simple bit of hope?

1. Thomas Partey Returns Before the Season Ends

Mohamed Elneny has been outstanding over the past two fixtures, turning the clocks back to 2016 with his double pivot partnership alongside Granit Xhaka crucial in the securing of the six most recent points.

Naturally contract talks emerge as a result, and that he’s the best thing since sliced bread. For the moment, he sort of is. But that doesn’t mean Thomas Partey wouldn’t have the red carpet rolled out for him as soon as he’s back up and running.

And he quite literally is running.

Uploading himself on the treadmill at London Colney, while the footage is reassuring there is no knowing whether or not this is part of the pre-planned training regime or whether he’s ahead of schedule. What we do know, however, is that Arteta loves to play mind games when it comes to player availability and the absence of a time frame on his initial injury (despite the manager hinting his season was over) could be with some hope of a quicker-than-expected return.

Partey, back for the north London derby? We can dream. Charles Watts said Partey’s people ‘haven’t ruled it out’.

The problem is that it might just be a dream. The gods of healing may look down favourably on the Gunners or it could be that the Ghanaian really is out for the season. Hope springs eternal, eh?

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