The race for this season’s last two Champions League spots couldn’t have been tighter than this. Five teams lie within five points of each other and any of these sides can make the final two behind Chelsea and Manchester City. The Gunners climbed up the table into fourth place on Tuesday night after their 2-1 win over Leicester City at the Emirates but Theo Walcott who ultimately scored the match winner asked his side to not underestimate the other teams.
“I think it will be [tight], I think you can see every year the teams are getting better,” he told Arsenal’s official website.
“Who would have thought Southampton would be right up there, considering the players that left this season?
“I think it’s going to go all the way, that’s why it was so crucial to bounce back.”
Southampton have been consistently in the top four since the start of the season, defying early season predictions of being relegation contenders with aplomb. Ronald Koeman’s men just have to try and not wilt away like West Ham United because they have a solid foundation and not too difficult a set of fixtures.
Walcott scored three goals in his last four games since returning, but acknowledged that the performance left much to be desired. “The performance wasn’t there, but the three points were all we were determined to achieve.”
“We’ll focus on the FA Cup now. There will be a lot of disappointed guys in the changing room, even though we’ve won. But that’s why the games come thick and fast.”
Arsenal will have to keep picking up points despite facing the risk of losing Ramsey on a long term injury, but they’ll be boosted by the returning Alexis Sanchez who is their top scorer with 12 goals so far for the club. They face a difficult run with two legs against Monaco approaching in the distance and matches coming thick and fast.
Seventh-placed Liverpool are the in-form side in the league right now, picking up 14 points in the last 18. The switch to 3-4-2-1 has witnessed a dramatic rise in fortunes for Brendan Rodgers’ side and they continued to cut the gap at the top after a crucial 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. The London club had climbed over the Gunners after their 2-1 win in the derby and the defeat leaves them just two points off, with all to play for.