For the last few months Arsenal fans have been desperately hoping that Chelsea would falter and the seemingly unstoppable momentum that Antonio Conte’s team had would fade away and give the Gunners a chance to get back into the Premier League title race.
Once we lost our game at Stamford Bridge, though, any slim hopes that Arsenal fans were holding on to were gone and so it really did not matter what Chelsea did. Until now that is. Now that the Blues have finally faltered and suffered a shock defeat at home to relegation threatened Crystal Palace, Arsenal are in no position to take advantage but the team that could challenge them for the title is our north London rivals Tottenham.
As if this season was not bad enough for Arsenal already, it would be so much more painful if our worst finish in 20 years coincided with the Spuds being crowned EPL champions. That is one very good reason for us Gooners to want Chelsea to get back to winning ways but we also have another, because this week sees the league leaders take on Man City and if Arsenal are to somehow achieve another top four finish it is City and Man United that we need to get past.
An Arsenal win over West Ham would give us 54 points and if City lose they would be on 58 having played one more game. We clearly need to find some form but the top four race is far from over and Chelsea could do Arsenal a big favour this week.
Bob.