With the season coming to an end, and four teams contesting two Champions League spots, Arsenal look favourites to finish outside the top four for the first time since Arsene Wenger took over in 1996.
Monday’s 3-0 defeat against Crystal Palace might have just sealed the deal as Arsenal now sit three points behind Manchester United, seven behind City (-1 game) and nine behind Liverpool (-2 games).
Even with eight games remaining for Arsenal, compared to the form of their rivals going in to their last five games, there seems to be little hope of changing their fate.
Last 5 games:
- Liverpool: WDWDW
- Man. United: WDDWD
- Man. City: WLDDD
- Arsenal:LWDLL
On top of their poor form, Arsenal have registered some unflattering records following their most recent defeat:
- Wenger has suffered four consecutive away Premier League defeats for the first time as Arsenal manager
- This is Arsenal’s worst away Premier League run since April 1995, when they were managed by Stewart Houston
- Arsenal conceded three goals in four consecutive away league games for the first time since September 1929
- In the last eight Premier League games, only Sunderland (six) have lost more games than Arsenal (five)
- This was Wenger’s first defeat against Crystal Palace as Arsenal boss
The next match takes the Gunners to Middlesbrough who are desperately trying to avoid relegation. A victory would extend Arsenal’s hopes of achieving a top four finish, but there are many tough fixtures to come after.
Home matches against Leicester City, Manchester United and Everton, plus away games against Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur all await Arsene Wenger and his merry band of bottlers.
A match against the Red Devils will be crucial for Arsenal, and possibly for Arsene Wenger himself. Victory for either side will provide a massive boost in battle for that Champions League place.
Considering the current form and body language of the whole team, Arsenal’s fans can’t be too confident. The next six weeks will give us a lot of answers, unfortunately at this time, these answers look quite grim for any Arsenal fan.