The battle for a top four finish and admission into next year’s Champions League play-off rounds will go down to the final game of the season.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win against relegated Sunderland last night puts the ‘Gunners’ just one point behind 4th place Liverpool, meaning they will have to overcome another Merseyside team as they face Everton at home, in order to continue their 20 years consecutive run of finishing in the top four.
A disturbingly empty Emirates stadium endured an agonising game last night. Despite having 36 attempts at goal, they only managed to score two goals past an impressive Jordan Pickford, who saved Sunderland from an embarrassing defeat and prevented Arsenal from closing in on Liverpool’s goal difference.
Both goals came from Alex Sanchez, who’s been rumoured, along with fan favourite Ozil, of being sold in the summer. The dismal atmosphere in last night’s game comes with fan’s frustration targeted towards Wenger, who still hasn’t responded to questions surrounding his future at the club; it’s hard to see the Frenchman staying if they fail to qualify for the Champions League and is struggling to hold on to, or even attract big names.
Arsenal will be hoping Klopp’s side slip up when they host Middlesbrough on Sunday, but the possibility of a fourth-placed play-off could happen if both teams finish level on points.
Liverpool could qualify directly into the group stages of the Champions League if Manchester City fail to beat Watford and the reds win at home.
There may even be a chance that Manchester City could face Arsenal in a fourth-place play off if, and this is a long shot, City lose 4-0 and Arsenal secure a 1-0 victory on Sunday.
It’s going to be an interesting Sunday.
