Friday 14 February 2014 09:21, UK
The race for top four is like the hokey cokey at the moment.
Although they are currently in a midst of a tough run of fixtures - looking ahead at their schedule, they play Spurs and Chelsea away, City at home and Everton away - in a hellish run of four games at the end of March and start of April. There's been a lot of talk about their contests with Liverpool, Man United and Bayern Munich this month - but those four games coming up could have a far more damaging impact on Arsenal's season. Olivier Giroud is a good player and has done a good job for them this term but he still hasn't scored against another top-four team yet and when you look at those big games - and the big moments and the big goals needed to win them - he doesn't seem to be the player to produce at those vital times yet. That's something Arsenal are missing and why their record against their rivals isn't good enough. Everton and Manchester United, meanwhile, for me, are now out of the running. Regardless of whether Everton make the cut or not, they've had a successful season. Roberto Martinez has proved he's a top manager in this campaign and that he knows the game inside out. Their future is bright with him in charge. United, meanwhile - well, who knows what is going to happen to them? They need a miracle to finish in the top four now and who would have thought that at the start of the season? Most people would have had the 2012/13 champions down as certainties for a Champions League place - but at this point I expect Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool to make the top four. Agree with Jamie? Bet on the Premier League with Sky Bet here.
