Arsenal’s hopes of securing a top four finish were given a boost on Sunday after a fully deserved 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates.
Goals from Granit Xhaka and Danny Welbeck gave the Gunners all three points to move them to within six points of Manchester City in fourth, albeit with a game in hand.
Arsenal face Southampton in midweek and victory at St Mary’s will move them three points behind City and four behind Liverpool, in third, although with a game in hand on the Reds.
Speaking after the game Arsene Wenger said his side have not given up hope of securing Champions League football but admitted they will need help from elsewhere.
“It was important,” he told Sky Sports. “We lost at Tottenham, and we couldn’t afford to lose today.
“We looked a bit more stable. We still have a chance mathematically [of a top four finish], we need some help from teams around us.
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“We needed to be a patient [against Man Utd]. We started a bit nervously, a bit under pressure, slowly we became better and controlled the game quite well in the second half.”
Arsenal’s remaining fixtures are away to Southampton and Stoke followed by home games against already-relegated Sunderland and Everton and they will surely need to win all four to have any chance.
The toughest game looks the final game of the season against Everton, particularly as the Gunners lost 2-1 at Goodison Park earlier this season.
Manchester United look to have given up on the Premier League entirely, opting to leave their eggs in their Europa League basket which leaves Liverpool and Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp’s side face a trip to West Ham on Sunday which could prove a tricky test, the Hammers having beaten Spurs on Friday night, before a final game at Anfield against Middlesbrough.
Manchester City, meanwhile, welcome Leicester and West Brom to the Etihad before a trip to Watford.
On paper at least it looks as though Arsenal will need Liverpool to drop points if they are to grab a top four finish – but with four games to go can the Gunners do it?
Who will finish in the top four? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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