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Gunner finish fourth? Why top-four is on the cards for Arsenal

| 26.02.2019

Arsenal fans should be heading into the week feeling pretty good about themselves.

The Gunners now sit fourth in the Premier League, with just 11 games to go after a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Southampton.

Unai Emery’s target is a return to the Champions League, but his side currently sit behind Manchester United (11/10) Chelsea (6/5) in the top-four betting at 21/10.

But here’s why the Gunners should be confident of landing fourth…

United injury crisis grows

Injuries always creep in at this stage of the season, just when you need your key players the most.

So it’s nothing short of a disaster for Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who saw four players crocked in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

The Red Devils lost Juan Mata and Ander Herrera in the first half, and then saw substitute Jesse Lingard hobble off too. Marcus Rashford was also injured, but had to play the full 90 minutes with United having used up their subs.

It puts the 13-time Premier League champions massively on the back foot for the next few weeks. Their weakened side is off to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, with a potentially huge game at Arsenal just three weeks away.

Chelsea woe continues

And things just don’t get any better over at Chelsea. The Blues put in an improved performance to take Manchester City to penalties in Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final, before eventually losing the shoot-out 4-3.

But nobody is talking about that now. After Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to obey Sarri’s order to come off for Willy Caballero, speculation is again rife that the Italian has lost the Stamford Bridge dressing room and is on borrowed time.

Whether it was a misunderstanding or otherwise, Chelsea are not known for their patience with managers. They’ve averaged nearly one boss a season since Roman Abramovich took charge in 2003.

Fixtures favour Arsenal

Of Arsenal’s final 11 games, only two are against top-six opposition – away at Tottenham and at home to Man United .

Their final eight games are all against sides outside of the top six, which offers the Gunners a great shot at racking up the points in the final stages.

It’s a far more favourable run-in than United’s, who must still visit the Emirates and host both Manchester City and Chelsea.

The Blues haven’t got it easy either. They’ve got a game in hand, but play Spurs on Wednesday night, before visiting Liverpool and United in the final weeks.

Click here for the latest Premier League odds.

All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication

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Author

Richard Marsh

Richard loves his sport, especially if it involves the sound of tyres screaming around a race track. He's not fussy though and his '90s Premier League nostalgia and knowledge of team nicknames is tough to match.