After the action over the last few days, there have been some changes to the table. The season end draws ever closer, and it is vital that teams secure the highest place possible. With the race to lift the trophy locked into a battle between Liverpool and current title holders Manchester City, it is the third and fourth place that remain up for grabs. BonusBets.com looks at the progress made by Arsenal in their April Fool’s Day match that left them looking far from foolish as they leapfrogged up to third place.
From the get-go, they were the bookies favourite, and the Gunners secured a 2-0 victory over Newcastle which gave them the points needed to move up into third, pushing Tottenham back down into fourth. Last night, Spurs managed to beat Crystal Palace at their new stadium, and jumped back into third. The gap up to the title race is now really insurmountable, but Unai Emery will undoubtedly be happy with the fact that a Top 4 finish is in Arsenal’s hands..
Manchester United fell to Wolves, hampering their chances of securing a Champions League spot, but Chelsea beat Brighton to keep their hopes alive. No one is going to want to back down at this point, so being in third makes Arsenal the more stable team for now, although there has been some surprise from pundits that they have made so much progress.
Chris Sutton, ex England player now BT Sport pundit certainly had a lot to say about the team and their achievements. “Arsenal were really, really impressive. They have been flying at the Emirates all season. When you think about it, the top four looked too far away at the start of the season, but it’s in their hands now. Five games out of the last seven are away now for them. They limited Newcastle to very few chances. You feel Arsenal fans are right behind Emery. In some ways, they are overachieving this season.”
His last comment seems a little mean, the team is playing well, and whether this is a case of progress or overachieving won’t matter if they finish the season in third place. However, Sutton argues that it is down to key players and without them, the team will crumble going forwards. It was Aaron Ramsay who took the lead for the team, and this was strengthened in the second half by Alexandre Lacazette.
Ramsey will be leaving for Juventus when the season ends; although he will continue to play for Wales nationally, he will no longer be at Arsenal’s disposal. Sutton believes it is his strength that has carried the team this season. “Aaron Ramsey was sensational in the first half; I think what he’s saying to Arsenal fans this season – he is showing them what they will miss. He was sublime tonight. He is playing with such a clear mind.”
Sadly the player was forced off the pitch after 67 minutes after being injured, and fans will be desperately hoping he can make a return and not have to sit out for the last few games.
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