What a week it has been for Arsenal. Seven days ago Mikel Arteta's side found themselves trailing Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League table and they seemed to be losing the battle for Champions League qualification after suffering three defeats on the bounce.
But things change quickly in football, something the Gunners can certainly attest to as fans have been given another reason to be cheerful - if seeing the side record impressive back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Manchester United in the space of three days wasn't enough.
With Spurs drawing 0-0 away at Brentford in the late kick-off on Saturday, it means Arsenal are once again in control of the top-four race with five games remaining. From trailing their rivals by three points a week ago, they now have a two-point lead after recent twists and turns.
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How important Saturday's 3-1 win over Man United with regards to the top-four race remains to be seen as there's still a long way to go. But what the result has done is move the north London outfit one step closer to achieving their main target set out at the beginning of the season.
The 2021/22 campaign has been a rare one for Arsenal as for the first time in over two decades, they have not played a single game in any European competition and this isn't something that manager Mikel Arteta intends to go through next season.
"It hurts a lot in the last few days to put TV on and see those teams there, and not see Arsenal there," the Spaniard admitted during his press conference ahead of Arsenal's trip to Burnley back in September. "It was painful. One hundred per cent. I don't want to be sitting there with Arsenal out of those competitions."
To avoid this painful experience again, Arteta must guide his side to a top-seven finish in the Premier League. It's as simple as that thanks largely to Liverpool. With the Reds winning the Carabao Cup and assured of a place in next season's Champions League group phase, it means the Europa Conference League [UECL] spot will be awarded to the next eligible team in the division.
As things stand, Wolves are the only side who can deny Arsenal a top-seven finish. Currently on 49 points following their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Burnley, Bruno Lage's side can achieve 64 points were they to win their remaining five games of the season against Brighton, Chelsea, Norwich City, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Therefore the Gunners are one win and a draw away from guaranteeing a top-seven finish and a return to Europe for next season. Whether that be the Champions League, the Europa League or the Europa Conference League (UECL) will become clearer in the coming weeks.
