Back-to-back defeats have been the nemesis of the Gunners. With fellow contestants Tottenham and Newcastle getting the better of the North London side, Arterta’s men are plunging deeper, falling away from the UEFA Champions League (UCL) prospects and the graces of Europe’s elite competition
The Gunners who were on a three game losing streak were able to upturn their fate, pulling on the strings as they withstood Chelsea, United and Westham. However, they failed to follow up with their improving form as they succumbed to The Lily whites and the richest club in England.
Rewind to three matchdays ago, post-Westham victory, the Gunners looked like potential competitors in next season’s UCL. With 63 points harnessed already, the 13-time league winners were seemingly out of harm’s way and well on course to making a return to the grandest stage, one they exited in a humiliating manner back in 2017 (a 10-2 defeat at the hands of a ruthless Bayern Munich). When compared to Tottenham’s 61, it was a bit of logical to say that the latter were in the driving seat for the race to the last undecided spot of the league.
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However, a lot has happened to Arterta’s side since then. After defeating Leeds, the Gunners have started to fall behind in the race to make it to the UCL. Matchday 36 saw a painful 3-0 defeat to the North London neighbours and fellow top four contestants. As if that wasn’t enough, Newcastle who have nothing to compete for this season stabbed the hearts of the Gunners, players and supporters with a 2-0 upset on Matchday 37 to seemingly seal the fate of Emirates residents. Gradually, the fairly tale and story of possibilities has now turned to a near-impossible and illogical feat to achieve, a tale of sloths outrunning cheetahs.
With one match remaining in the league, it is almost definite that Arsenal have missed out on their dream competition. Considering the criterion for leapfrogging Conte’s men, Arsenal race for the top four is infact a Penelope’s web. Tottenham sit two points ahead of the red and white outfit. They have a relatively large goal difference of 24 compared to Arsenal’s somewhat miniature 9. Should Tottenham draw, Arsenal must find the back of the net at least 15 or 16 times, an extensive taking to the cleaners and a task that can be compared to herding cats. Tottenham must lose to Norwich while Arterta and co conquer Everton in a classic matchday 38 battle
The opponents make it a little difficult for Arsenal to turn this around. On head to head statistics, the Merseyside Blue team fare better than the North London side. In total matches played, they have 17 more wins than Arsenal i.e 84 when compared to Arsenal’s 67. The past three games between Arsenal and Everton ended in three wins for Everton. This statistics are not an uphill to climb as residents of Emirates are capable of coming out on top in this contest. However, if Arsenal are to make it to Tuesday nights, two things have to happen which makes it more difficult.
They have to beat Everton and simultaneously watch Tottenham lose to Norwich. They can’t win and let Tottenham win neither can they lose alongside Spurs. Rather, they must win and watch Spurs lose too. The stats prove this to be a backbreaking task as Norwich last defeated Tottenham in an EPL match in 2014. Surely, Arterta and all Gunners have a very steep hill to climb if it’s at all climbable.