Arsenal were the only team in the top half of the Premier League table to lose at the weekend, meaning that we lost ground on all of the teams fighting for the title or for a place in the Champions League for next season. While that added to the misery of losing a local derby, it could have been a lot worse.
Because apart from the league leaders Chelsea and the gloating spuds, no other team in the top half won their games either. That is why Arsenal fans are not alone in having very real fears about whether we will finish in the top four.
Not only have Man City all but blown their chance of retaining their status as champions of England, their terrible run of form has left former Gunners Samir Nasri seriously concerned. As an ESPN report reveals, the French midfielder thinks that Man City could actually be in danger of dropping out of the UCL places unless they get cracking soon and tomorrow’s tough trip to Stoke, still without Yaya Toure and Wilfied Bony is hardly the easiest game to do it.
He said, “We have to wake up and do the job now before it’s too late. Chelsea, with no disrespect, are not Liverpool who can drop points. They are really solid.
“We have to catch them as soon as possible if we want to be champions. But at the same time we have to look behind us. Southampton have won, United are getting close.
“It will be tough at Stoke. It’s not ideal on a Wednesday night during the winter, but we have to win it.”
The same sort of concern is creeping up on the red half of Manchester as well, with Juan Mata explaining that their home game against Burnley tomorrow is now a must win after their draw with West Ham. And although the Spaniard did not say it in this ESPN report, their poor performances must be just as worrying as their result.
Mata said, “We play at home against Burnley and we must win this one because the race for the Champions League spots is now very close. We have to get the three points at home, we know that, and that’s what we are working for.”
So although Arsenal fans have every right to be unhappy today, there are a lot of clubs in and around us in the same boat. And if we do manage to beat Leicester tomorrow, our situation could look a lot rosier.