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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Spurs Maintain Their Spursy Tag

There is no shame in losing at home to Brighton *cough*, although not mustering a shot on target and having all of your key players available for selection changes that somewhat.

There is also no shame in failing to beat Brentford away *cough*, although not mustering a shot on target and having all of your key players available for selection changes that somewhat.

Tottenham appeared to be coasting towards the top four. Arsenal had lost three on the spin, were and still remain without cornerstones of the team, and boasted two strikers, neither of whom could score. For Tottenham to then go over 180 minutes of football without hitting the target amid a storming Gunners resurgence felt somewhat Spursy.

Long may that continue.

If Arsenal win their remaining five games – and may even not need to do that – they will finish fourth. Nothing changes that. If Tottenham can give them a helping hand along the way, however, maybe by failing to beat Leicester or dropping points at home to relegation fodder, that wouldn’t go amiss either.

Forever living with the Spursy tag, if that could keep in place for just a little while longer, then the stress of watching Arsenal over the coming five games would be significantly more palatable.

We want our St. Totteringham’s Day.

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West Ham’s Europa League First Leg Being Tight

As previously noted, Sunday’s game against West Ham comes at an incredibly welcome point in the calendar for Arsenal.

David Moyes’ side will play Eintracht Frankfurt at home three days prior before making the journey to Germany for the second leg the following week, in what is one of the biggest nights in the club’s history. That tie means everything to them, as witnessed by Moyes’ team selection against Chelsea.

Furthermore, Craig Dawson’s red card in that match leaves them without a senior central defender for Sunday. It’s all going well so far and a ball hasn’t been kicked.

What is very important, however, is that their Europa League tie remains in the balance. If the Hammers get walloped 4-0 – or dish out a walloping – then their attentions could turn fully towards the clash with Arsenal. That game needs to say tight, whether it’s a draw or a narrow win either side, as any encouragement to make wholesale changes will be warmly received.

There is no fear of West Ham winning the Europa League and suddenly ridding Arsenal of Champions League if they finish fourth, either. Should they claim the title there will instead be five English teams in the group stages (RB Leipzig will win it anyway).

What also wouldn’t go amiss? Liverpool battering Villarreal 10-0 and then being able to rest players for their second leg, which is four days before they face Tottenham. Yes please. Sorry, Unai.

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Everton Secure Premier League Safety Before Final Game

Holy moly Everton are bad. So, so, so painfully bad. That defeat back in December still stings and watching them play as horrendously as they have before and since then just adds to the annoyance.

There is every chance they could go down. In fact, they may well.

From the Gunners’ point of view, them staying up is preferable. Regardless of how dreadful they are, this team does not want to be going into the final home game of the season and hosting a side who may need a single point to keep themselves in the division. If Arsenal’s top four fate isn’t sealed by then it will make an awfully tense encounter.

Arsenal’s win over Watford on the final day of the 2019/20 campaign relegated the Hornets, but that was without fans and with nothing to play for. Besides, it ended up being a narrow defeat.

While it would be one of the most satisfying days in many years to finish above Spurs, return to the Champions League and relegate Frank Lampard from the Premier League all in one game, the less stress the better.

Equally, Burnley won’t be missed if it’s them going down.