Premier League 2018-19: 3 Reasons why Arsenal will definitely finish in the top four

A major chunk of the 2018-19 Premier League season has whizzed past us as only a quarter remains. Several interesting sub-plots have developed over the course of the term with the title tussle, the relegation scrap and the battle for the top four all going down to the wire.

At this juncture, four teams are fighting tooth and nail to lay their hands on those two elusive Champions League slots. Arsenal sit third, a couple of points ahead of Tottenham in fourth and Manchester United in fifth. Chelsea are a further point adrift of the Red Devils in sixth.

Thus, we can expect a grandstand finish as far as the shootout for the top four is concerned.

Yet, like many a time before, there always seems to be a team or two who boast of a significant advantage on paper to achieve their targets at the expense of others.

Hence, courtesy the lens of this article, we analyse three reasons why Arsenal seem to be in pole position to land one of the top four spots.

Here is a look at them:

#3. Arsenal are building up a head of steam

Arsenal made it three wins in a row against Newcastle

The start of March was extremely torrid for the Gunners as they let slip a victory against Tottenham in the dying stages and also went down to Rennes in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie. Inevitably, the alarm bells started ringing with many fearing another spectacular unravelling of their season.

However, since the defeat to the French side, Unai Emery’s men have gotten their act in order and have strung together three vital victories. The loss in the Europa League was quickly followed by an accomplished performance against Manchester United. Additionally, they dispatched Newcastle United on Monday night with ease.

In the game against the Red Devils, Arsenal dented them early and superbly controlled the game. Though the away side could well have gotten a goal back before the controversial penalty, the Gunners’ resolute defending was refreshing to watch.

The second leg against Rennes was next and Arsenal ensured they turned around the two-goal deficit with ease. The Gunners’ effervescent attack came to the fore as they blew the French side away in the opening twenty minutes.

As for the Newcastle game, the Gunners barely broke into a sweat as they strolled to a 3-0 victory.

Yet, the most impressive aspect of those victories was Arsenal’s ability to keep things tight at the back. Throughout the season, the Gunners’ rear-guard has looked capable of conceding at the drop of the hat. Thus, the new-found defensive stability at the business end of the season could end up tilting the top four contest their way.

While Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea certainly aren’t pushovers, one just gets the feeling that the head of steam generated by Arsenal recently would be able to carry them across the line.

#2. Arsenal’s big players are rising to the occasion

Lacazette and Aubameyang will be crucial to Arsenal's top four hopes

Arsenal has several high-profile players in its midst. The likes of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Laurent Koscielny have been superstars for the past few years whereas players such as Alexandre Lacazette, Granit Xhaka and Sokratis aren’t too shabby either.

Yet, despite all the names, the Gunners found it tough to stitch everything together early in the term. However, as the season has progressed, Emery seems to have fumbled upon a formula to get these components working in tandem. And to his delight, his players have stood up to be counted.

Ozil’s place in the side has been under a cloud ever since Unai took over. But, recently, the German has won back his trust with the latter starting him against Manchester United, Rennes and Newcastle.

In addition, Aubameyang has found the scoring boots that he had apparently lost mid-season while Lacazette continues to be the perfect foil for his Gabonese teammate.

Moreover, Sokratis and Koscielny have formed a reliable partnership at the back with the Greek international having adapted to the rigour of the league and his French counterpart having recovered fully from his long injury lay-off.

The bright form of Xhaka, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Guendouzi would also be a cause of optimism for the Gunners with the trio putting in efficient displays in recent months.

Thus, Arsenal seem to be in a good space as their players are peaking at the right time.

And while the Gunners have long been criticised for not turning up when push comes to shove, their ability to change the narrative this term could just end up defining their 2018-19 season.

#1. Favourable run-in

Historically, title challenges and scuffles for the top four rest upon how teams perform against sides around them. Thus, the said games become ‘six-pointers’ with a win for one comprising of the potential to derail the other’s challenge.

In such circumstances, it is extremely vital that one looks at the fixtures that the teams have to play in order to come up with predictions. And this is where Arsenal seem to hold all the aces.

The Gunners are not scheduled to play another ‘Big Six’ club before the culmination of the season, with Wolves being the highest-ranked opponent they are due to face.

In contrast, Manchester United have to go head to head with Chelsea and Manchester City, Tottenham have to clash swords with Liverpool and City and Chelsea will pit their wits against Manchester United and Liverpool. Hence, on paper, Arsenal seem to have a much easier finish to the season.

The Gunners’ fixture list is favourable on another count too. In years gone by, several bottom-dwellers have upset the apple cart by producing inspired displays to ensure their own survival. And with Emery’s men playing only three of their remaining games against such teams, they look primed to avoid that banana skin.

Thus, the top four race seems to be Arsenal’s to lose at the moment. And if the Gunners grass this opportunity, they would only have themselves to blame.

Edited by Arvind Sriram