Premier League: Arsenal and Spurs could need more than the derby in top four race

Tottenham vs Arsenal could be the game of the season for many reasons but both sides could need more than the derby to finish in top four. (Photo credit: ESPN)

Manchester United may have signed off their home league campaign with a fantastic performance that earned them a 3-0 win over Brentford on Monday night, but that does not restore them into the top four fight; while it is still mathematically possible, there are no guarantees that Arsenal wouldn’t pick a point in one of their remaining four games which ends United’s UCL hopes.

The champions league possibility is down to Arsenal and Tottenham, and if you want to throw in actual mathematics, you’d realize Chelsea is also in it. The Gunners meet with Tottenham on the 12^th of May, both sides would have met Leeds United and Liverpool respectively, lots could have changed before then.

Leeds United are no pushovers; Leeds has been thrown into the relegation fight after Burnley won away at Watford; Leeds United must now pick strong points or risk the possibilities of going down; it won’t be easy for Arsenal.

Tottenham would see Liverpool’s comeback win at Villareal on Tuesday and nurse mixed feelings – one of excitement as the Kops would be exhausted from that experience against the Yellow Submarines and another of fear, if they can come back like that, they can do anything, it’s a crazy situation.

Liverpool needs the result to keep pace with City at the top, but a loss could be doomsday against Spurs. If Arsenal beat Leeds United and Spurs lose at Anfield, they would be five points behind the Gunners on the log going into the North London Derby; the pressure would be on Antonio Conte’s men.

Tottenham plays Burnley just three days after the derby. That is another potential banana peel; the Clarets are in pole position to avoid the drop now, but they can’t afford to slip up with Everton and Leeds in the survival mix.

Arsenal would visit St. James’s Park to negotiate a resurgent Newcastle a later; there is nothing assured at this stage with Newcastle safe, but hoping for a stronger finish, it wouldn’t be easy, but Arsenal would look at their record against Eddie Howe and Newcastle and see the light somewhere around.

The Gunners end the season with a home game against Everton, which would be huge with Everton certainly going to be needing that game for any hope of survival; Arsenal has been relegated on the team at least once in two seasons; it was Watford the season before the last, it was the Baggies last term… Hello Everton???