The intriguing battle for the Champions League places has suddenly come back to life, after Liverpool won yet again last night to move to within three points of Arsenal, and just two points behind Manchester United. Arsene Wenger has all but conceded the title to Chelsea, but there are now four teams in conflict for the three remaining spots in the Top Four.
Wenger said yesterday: “We are still too far from Chelsea, but will give everything to win our Premier League games and come back as close as possible.” But the Gunners cannot yet be certain of the Wenger Trophy yet, as with just nine games to go there are just four points separating Man City, Arsenal, Man United and Liverpool in the race for second.
The Scousers are now unbeaten in 13 games in the League and their boss Brendan Rodgers laid down the gauntlet last night when he said: “We’ve put ourselves in a great position,”
“We want to finish as high as we can and everyone talks about fourth, but it’s the same every year.
“We’ll do the best we can and Manchester City’s result at the weekend gives us an opportunity to finish second.
“We’ve got to use the mentality, run and confidence we’ve got, take that into every game and see where it takes us.”
Everyone is predicting Man City’s downfall after their shock defeat to Burnley, but they are still holding on to second. They have two relatively easy games ahead against West Brom at the Etihad and then Crystal Palace away, while Arsenal have to go away to Newcastle next before hosting Liverpool at the Emirates.
Man United comprehensively dumped the Spuds this weekend, but now have the daunting task of going to Anfield next, then taking on Aston Villa at home after the dreaded interlull. At least one (or both) of our rivals will be dropping points next weekend so Arsenal MUST beat Newcastle to keep the pressure on the others.
There are some fascinating matches coming up and this race could go right down to the wire with every game a potential banana skin right now. Arsenal just need to keep their heads down an keep racking up the points, and if Chelsea fail to win at Hull next week, well you never know!