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EURO ZONE

If Arsenal lose tonight, Arsene Wenger should give up on top four and put eggs in Europa League basket

The Gunners sit six points behind Liverpool in 4th ahead of Chelsea clash this evening, and are at risk of being cast adrift

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ARSENAL must win tonight – or face being left behind in the race for next season’s Champions League spots.

The Gunners sit six points behind Liverpool in 4th ahead of their crunch clash with Chelsea.

 Arsene Wenger's Arsenal have been on a poor run of form and will struggle to make the top four this season
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Arsene Wenger's Arsenal have been on a poor run of form and will struggle to make the top four this seasonCredit: AFP or licensors

They are now at serious risk of being cast adrift in the race for the top four.

Arsene Wenger’s men have only won two of their last seven matches in the Premier League.

The shocking run has seen them drop points against Southampton, West Ham and West Brom, as well as rivals Liverpool and Manchester United.

And they now face the possibility of falling tenpoints behind Chelsea, if they succumb to defeat against the current Champions of England.

 Arsenal have performed better in the Europa League this campaign, and are in the knockout stages
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Arsenal have performed better in the Europa League this campaign, and are in the knockout stagesCredit: Reuters

A glimmer of hope for the Gunners is their recent record against the Blues, where they have won three of the last five meetings, including a thumping 3-0 victory at the Emirates last season.

And aside from the recent 3-1 home defeat against Manchester United, where Arsenal dominated and were unlucky to lose, they have been exceptional, winning 14 of their last 17 games.

But the current mood and form around the camp has left Arsenal fans fearing the worst.

 Wenger should stick all his eggs in the Europa League basket if Arsenal fail to beat Chelsea tonight
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Wenger should stick all his eggs in the Europa League basket if Arsenal fail to beat Chelsea tonightCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

With Chelsea rampant and many of their key players rested at the weekend, supporters feel like it could be a long night at the Emirates.

Aaron Ramsey and Sead Kolasinac are ruled out of tonight’s game through injury, and Laurent Koscielny and Mesut Ozil are doubts.

Both will face late fitness tests, however I’m told Ozil will be fit and involved.

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Arsenal will consider themselves unlucky not to come away from West Brom with three points after Mike Dean’s late and quite frankly ridiculous hand-ball decision.

However, they will know within themselves that their level of performance was not good enough, and they will need to up it significantly if they are to get anything out of tonight’s game.

Win and the top four is still within reach.

Lose and it may be time to stick all the eggs in the Europa League Basket for Wenger’s men (which might not be a bad thing).


Score Prediction: 2-2


 

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