Because of the inconsistent and shaky first half of the Premier League season that Arsenal have had, Arsene Wenger and the players will be painfully aware that there is not much room for manoeuvre left. The Gunners are already adrift of Chelsea and Man City at the top of the table, while we have somehow allowed Louis van Gaal and his Manchester United team to escape their own troubles unpunished and get to this weekend with a comfortable four point gap over us.
And now the Gunners are even having to consider the spuds from down the road a real danger, after Tottenham beat Chelsea and moved above us in the table. They travel to Crystal Palace for today’s late kick-off and we have to hope that Alan Pardew can draw on the new manager effect and get a result for the Eagles.
I still think that Arsenal have a great chance of finishing in the top four and a good chance of avoiding the Champions League play-offs next season, but we need to cut out the mistakes and start putting a run of games together. And if the players were in any doubt about that, the win for Liverpool away to Sunderland today should leave them in no doubt whatsoever.
Despite being utterly rubbish for almost all of the season so far, that win leaves Brendan Rodgers and his team breathing down our neck with just a point and a few goals between us. With a trip to Man City next on our agenda, the home clash with Stoke City tomorrow is now looking like a must win game with all the added pressure that our precarious situation brings.
The big question now is, how will Arsenal cope?