Every fixture between now and the end of the season will feel like a must-win for Arsenal as the prize is being crowned Premier League champions.
And by the time Mikel Arteta's side arrive at the London Stadium to face West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, their lead at the top of the table will be down to three points if Manchester City make it 10 wins in a row across all competitions by dispatching Leicester City this evening (Saturday).
Following last weekend's 2-2 draw against Liverpool, the Gunners will be well aware that they can ill-afford to drop too many more points in their remaining eight games if they are to hold off Man City's challenge and therefore it's vital they return to winning ways against the Hammers.
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With that said, it's worth pointing out that Arsenal are on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League and their return to Europe's top table after a six-year absence could be confirmed as early as this weekend - but only on the condition that the perfect set of results occur.
Interestingly, as the north London outfit's current points haul of 73 would have been enough for a top-four finish in each of the last four Premier League campaigns it would take a spectacular, albeit unlikely, collapse in their final eight games to miss out once again.
So whilst many Arsenal supporters will almost certainly have one eye on Man City vs Leicester City, this weekend's round of fixtures in the Premier League will be of some interest too as Tottenham Hotspur host relegation-threatened Bournemouth and Brighton are in action away at Chelsea.
Now, mathematically both clubs along with Man City, Manchester United and Newcastle United - can still win the Premier League title. Of course, it would take a dramatic set of results for that to happen but with games between the current top seven to be played it seems virtually impossible.
However, as two more teams can be eliminated from the equation as early as this weekend, Arsenal will be in a position to effectively confirm their first top-four finish since the 2015/16 campaign if they beat West Ham. But that scenario is only possible if two particular fixtures go their way across the next few hours.
With the potential of a huge weekend on the cards in the Premier League, football.london has taken a look at what would be the best and worst-case scenarios for Arsenal as there's a chance for the club to seal Champions League qualification with seven games to spare.
Best case scenario
Chelsea vs Brighton and Hove Albion - HOME WIN/DRAW
Tottenham vs Bournemouth - DRAW/AWAY WIN
West Ham vs Arsenal - AWAY WIN
Going off recent form, it would be somewhat of a surprise if Chelsea beat Brighton. But should that scenario play out - or Frank Lampard's side claim a draw - it will leave the Seagulls' maximum points total at 73 or 74 were they to win their subsequent final nine games.
As for Spurs, if they fail to beat Bournemouth they would only be able to achieve a maximum points total of 75 or 74. As a result, a win for Arsenal against West Ham puts them on 76 points and therefore it would be mathematically impossible for them to finish outside the top four.
Although should Brighton and/or Tottenham win their respective fixtures then it simply delays the seemingly inevitable by a few days as this particular scenario would leave the Gunners requiring a win over Southampton next Friday night to confirm their Champions League return.
Worst-case scenario
Chelsea vs Brighton and Hove Albion - AWAY WIN
Tottenham vs Bournemouth - HOME WIN
West Ham vs Arsenal - HOME WIN/ DRAW
Given Arsenal's position in the table, were they to lose or draw with West Ham it's unlikely many will care too much on what it means for their top-four hopes as the main focus, if points are dropped points at the London Stadium, will be the impact it has on the Premier League title race.
But in terms of Champions League qualification, the Gunners would still be in a fantastic position to get the job done as three of four points from their remaining seven fixtures becomes the target.
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