This is it; the race for fourth is on, and it looks to be a rather tasty-looking finale up ahead in May. Points being dropped all over the place means that the complexion of this titanic tussle for Champions League football is getting tenser by the weekend. What had looked a particularly gloomy outset for Arsenal a month ago has somehow transformed into a three-horse-race - at least - for the pleasure of meeting Europe's elite in 2013/2014. Here I assess the three front-runners' chances of that pleasure - with the least bias possible towards my beloved AFC.
This was arguably the second-worst decision of Chelsea's season - only topped by replacing him with someone possessing a remarkable track record in Europe and fairly impressive Premier League experience to add - the only problem was a poor rapport with fans. Rafael Benitez created a massive air of ill-feeling amongst supporters. It lurked around Stamford Bridge like an unwanted poltergeist; an unusually muted atmosphere surrounded a regularly ethereal stadium, and as a result, performances plummeted.
Now what had been looking an extremely promising season could end up being rather disastrous. An FA Cup could once again be on the horizon after Monday's battling, if not entirely inspiring, performance, though they face a real danger of not being able to attempt to win back their crown, 12 months after lifting the famous trophy. If their previous run of results are anything to go by, it is clear that they could produce a big performance when required, like any big team, but may be more susceptible to the odd 'shock' defeat.
Not letting Gareth Bale taking all the credit for Tottenham's impressive campaign thus far (even though he only really started performing since December, but will get Player of the Year regardless of that), an integral component of the Tottenham jigsaw - which must go down as smart recruiting by Villas-Boas - is Jan Vertonghen. For me, he is the best player Arsenal have lost out on signing. A threat in defence and attack - and not just at set-pieces - Vertonghen has proved himself to be a world-class footballer, and deserves Champions League football for his efforts alone.
The only possible problem for Tottenham is their fixture list. They have fewer games left than Chelsea and Arsenal and more bigger games, including a crucial crunch contest at Stamford Bridge, but also a double-helping of visits from Manchester City and Everton - who still see themselves as outside CL contenders. Those three games should define their season. Their destiny is in their own hands, but even one draw in any of those games can swing the momentum away from them, with two fully capable London rivals breathing heavily down their necks.
But recently, performances have been extremely encouraging, with even the likes of Gervinho starting to finally produce the goods at a time where Arsenal need it, big time. The ease and somewhat stylish manner that they beat Reading at the weekend with brought a sudden flashback (for me) to the good old days when Arsenal would beat those teams for fun. Arsenal have the 'advantage' of the 'easier' run-in, though you can never really say that with any assurance - and certainly need at least one more big performance to come when United visit at the end of the month - their only really 'massive' game left.
It may be that their experience of being in these awful, torturous situations year on year could turn out to see them through unscathed once again. Wenger has gotten mighty tough recently and it seems to be paying dividends. If there's one thing Arsenal are not, that is consistent, and if there's one thing Arsenal need over the final month and a half, it's consistency.
As an Arsenal fan or not, football fan if you will, I cannot see Arsenal playing in the Europa League next season. I don't know exactly why, I just can't. Can I see them getting in the top 4? Of course. Unfortunately, that goes for Chelsea and Spurs too.
For me, Spurs are there. It could be third or fourth for them, but if there's one team that doesn't deserve Europa League football, you have to admit it's Spurs. Being a Gunner myself, I do not care if there is to be no St. Totteringham's day this year (even if we've had one every year for the last 17), as long as we get over that line by May 19th. I genuinely believe it's between Chelsea and Arsenal this year, it is too tough to separate them. Both terribly inconsistent this year, but they are both so good when on form.
Spurs will be driven by last year's shortcomings in the shape of a Didier Drogba penalty, and the heartache will surely be too much to bear a second year running. As for Arsenal, a record of 15 straight appearances in the Champions League is not one they'll want to give up lightly. Meanwhile, at Chelsea, they have nothing to lose. Except perhaps, Benitez, who will lose his job regardless.
This race is incredibly difficult to predict, but it's going to be one hell of a ride.
Chelsea
Cast your minds back to September. Chelsea were flying high. Not only were they winning matches - they were winning them in style. By far, the most attractive team in the league and the results to go with it, too. Hazard hadn't even hit top form and Lamps was barely in the squad. Unfortunately for Chelsea, a source of friendly fire in the shape of Roman Abramovich's unfair, if not untimely dismissal of Champions League maestro extraordinaire, Roberto Di Matteo.This was arguably the second-worst decision of Chelsea's season - only topped by replacing him with someone possessing a remarkable track record in Europe and fairly impressive Premier League experience to add - the only problem was a poor rapport with fans. Rafael Benitez created a massive air of ill-feeling amongst supporters. It lurked around Stamford Bridge like an unwanted poltergeist; an unusually muted atmosphere surrounded a regularly ethereal stadium, and as a result, performances plummeted.
Now what had been looking an extremely promising season could end up being rather disastrous. An FA Cup could once again be on the horizon after Monday's battling, if not entirely inspiring, performance, though they face a real danger of not being able to attempt to win back their crown, 12 months after lifting the famous trophy. If their previous run of results are anything to go by, it is clear that they could produce a big performance when required, like any big team, but may be more susceptible to the odd 'shock' defeat.
Spurs
Stealing Arsenal's trick of yester-year and producing a one-man team seems to be paying off - so far. The form of Gareth Bale has carried Spurs to a lofty 3rd at this late stage of the campaign, which, at this point last year, the Gunners had already pegged them back. This time, however, there appears to be a sense of longevity in the Spurs side that may just see them through. It has to be said - travelling to and beating Swansea on the back of two losses is no mean feat at all.Not letting Gareth Bale taking all the credit for Tottenham's impressive campaign thus far (even though he only really started performing since December, but will get Player of the Year regardless of that), an integral component of the Tottenham jigsaw - which must go down as smart recruiting by Villas-Boas - is Jan Vertonghen. For me, he is the best player Arsenal have lost out on signing. A threat in defence and attack - and not just at set-pieces - Vertonghen has proved himself to be a world-class footballer, and deserves Champions League football for his efforts alone.
The only possible problem for Tottenham is their fixture list. They have fewer games left than Chelsea and Arsenal and more bigger games, including a crucial crunch contest at Stamford Bridge, but also a double-helping of visits from Manchester City and Everton - who still see themselves as outside CL contenders. Those three games should define their season. Their destiny is in their own hands, but even one draw in any of those games can swing the momentum away from them, with two fully capable London rivals breathing heavily down their necks.
Arsenal
Losing to Spurs is the low point of any season, trophies or not. But it was probably the blow of being seven points adrift of them with ten to play that hurt Arsenal the most. Thankfully, when Arsenal are hurt, they tend to respond. A huge turning point was the second 'heroic in defeat' performance in two years, this time at the hands of Bayern Munich, that saw a positive turnaround of the Gunners' fortunes. Those seven trailed points can now be cut to one with a game in hand to come - though they would have hoped for a better (and when I say better, I mean worse) team than Everton to face with the stakes so, so high.But recently, performances have been extremely encouraging, with even the likes of Gervinho starting to finally produce the goods at a time where Arsenal need it, big time. The ease and somewhat stylish manner that they beat Reading at the weekend with brought a sudden flashback (for me) to the good old days when Arsenal would beat those teams for fun. Arsenal have the 'advantage' of the 'easier' run-in, though you can never really say that with any assurance - and certainly need at least one more big performance to come when United visit at the end of the month - their only really 'massive' game left.
It may be that their experience of being in these awful, torturous situations year on year could turn out to see them through unscathed once again. Wenger has gotten mighty tough recently and it seems to be paying dividends. If there's one thing Arsenal are not, that is consistent, and if there's one thing Arsenal need over the final month and a half, it's consistency.
As an Arsenal fan or not, football fan if you will, I cannot see Arsenal playing in the Europa League next season. I don't know exactly why, I just can't. Can I see them getting in the top 4? Of course. Unfortunately, that goes for Chelsea and Spurs too.
For me, Spurs are there. It could be third or fourth for them, but if there's one team that doesn't deserve Europa League football, you have to admit it's Spurs. Being a Gunner myself, I do not care if there is to be no St. Totteringham's day this year (even if we've had one every year for the last 17), as long as we get over that line by May 19th. I genuinely believe it's between Chelsea and Arsenal this year, it is too tough to separate them. Both terribly inconsistent this year, but they are both so good when on form.
Spurs will be driven by last year's shortcomings in the shape of a Didier Drogba penalty, and the heartache will surely be too much to bear a second year running. As for Arsenal, a record of 15 straight appearances in the Champions League is not one they'll want to give up lightly. Meanwhile, at Chelsea, they have nothing to lose. Except perhaps, Benitez, who will lose his job regardless.
This race is incredibly difficult to predict, but it's going to be one hell of a ride.
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