Arsenal Lead Top 4 Race

With just a handful of games to go, this has been the most exciting battles for a top four place in the Premier League for years. With critical clashes coming up, not least Manchester United’s clashes against Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, it’s a battle that looks like going down to the wire.

Nailed on

It’s probably safe to say that, barring cataclysmic collapses, both Chelsea and Manchester City have bagged two of the top four spots. That leaves two places up for grabs between Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs. Let’s not rule out Southampton either, the surprise contenders in the race for next season’s Champions League.

The Gunners are narrowly clear, just three points, of that dreaded fifth place, so there is no room for any slip-ups. No fans can complain about recent results at the Emirates (well apart from a game against a certain French team) with eight league wins in a row.

Bankers

Home games against Sunderland, Swansea City and WBA should also produce maximum points. Away matches at Newcastle, Burnley and Hull City are all games that Arsenal are more than capable of winning, too. That leaves three tough games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. The first two of those are at home and we all know that Arsenal can win at Old Trafford. The remaining ten games should produce at least six wins and that should be enough to confirm a Champions League place.

Manchester United are in fourth place, a point behind Arsenal, but they have a far tougher finish to the season than Arsenal. Their next four games see them hosting Manchester City while they have to travel to Liverpool and Chelsea. Throw in further away games at Everton and of course that home match with the Gunners and that makes for a hard run-in. A win against Liverpool, to follow up their thrashing of Spurs, in their next game would give them a bit of a cushion to play with, but Liverpool are the form team in the Premier League right now.

Main threat

Brendan Rogers’ Reds are in fifth – and they’re on the charge. They’re gone 13 games unbeaten since a 3-0 defeat at Man United in December – a run which has included wins over Man City and Spurs. That form sees them just three points behind Arsenal and remember they still have to come to the Emirates. The Reds face a series of tough battles in the closing weeks of the season with United at home and Chelsea away. Their final run-in sees them take on QPR, Palace and Stoke plus Chelsea away. Not wanting to be negative, but Arsenal really have to ensure they don't lose at home to Liverpool on April 4.

Unlikely

Spurs are sixth, seven points behind the Gunners at present. The Kane gang actually have a decent run-in with the toughest game being home fixture against Manchester City. Home games against Leicester, Villa and Hull City and trips to Burnley, Newcastle, Southampton, Stoke and Everton aren't bad ones to have at the end of the season.

It's certainly looking good for Arsenal to yet again qualify for the Champions League. Who knows, the Gunners might even be able to make up the deficit against second placed Manchester City. Champions League qualification and a second FA Cup in a row will make for another season most teams would die for, especially elsewhere in North London. 

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