Arsenal finish in the top four of the Premier League, it is what we do. Sometimes it is a bit of a close call and needs the team to put in a great run towards the end of the season, but our consistency in qualifying for the Champions League every year since Arsene Wenger took over is why the football media have hilariously dubbed it the Wenger trophy.
The fact that we failed to win a real trophy for nine years did not help of course, but the Gunners finally saw that right at Wembley last May, adding a fifth FA cup win of the Frenchman’s reign. That was supposed to be the first of many, which it still could be, and also the sign that Arsenal were ready to challenge for the title again, which does not look likely this season.
In fact, our injury problems and some poor form in the first half of the season has meant that we are locked in a struggle for fourth place again. With Southampton showing little sign of faltering, Man United finding their feet, Liverpool rediscovering their spark and Tottenham starting to respond to Pochettino’s management, it was beginning to look harder than ever for Arsenal.
If you want a good indicator, however, look at the odds, because the bookies do not get much wrong. It costs them money after all. And, perhaps because of the new Arsenal tactics and resolve that was on show away to Man City, they seem to have no doubt that we will be there again at the end of the season.
In fact they have us about even with United for third place, at around 6/4. For the top four, they also have us both odds on at around 2/5, with Southampton next at about 6/4 before Liverpool slightly shade the spuds at around 5 or 6 to 1.
So if you believe the bookies, Arsenal fans, you can relax and plan for another year in the Champions League. We can’t mess it up now can we?