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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Arsenal, Tottenham and Man Utd's remaining fixtures with top four race going to the wire

Arsenal have gained the upper hand in the race for a top four finish once again, but there is still work to do if Mikel Arteta's side are to qualify for the Champions League.

The Gunners were 3-1 victors against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, with goals from Nuno Tavares, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka leading them to three points. Tottenham Hotspur had a chance to move back above them on goal difference with a win at Brentford, but could only manage a goalless draw and survived a late scare when Ivan Toney headed against the post.

United's defeat in north London left interim manager Ralf Rangnick conceding his side can all but wave goodbye to their hopes of a top four finish, with the six-point gap to Arsenal looking unassailable. On Sunday, meanwhile, a dramatic late win for Chelsea against West Ham meant it will be tough for both Arsenal and Spurs to catch the Blues.

With just four games left for United, and five for the two north London sides, Mirror Football takes a closer look at the teams battling it out to finish fourth.

Arsenal

After three defeats on the spin threatened to derail Arsenal's bid for a top four finish, successive victories have seen things swing back in their favour. Eddie Nketiah's return has been a big factor, with the striker netting twice in a win at Chelsea, while the win on Saturday gave them back-to-back victories for the first time in more than a month.

Next up for Arsenal is a trip to West Ham, whose own top four hopes were dealt what might be a fatal blow by Christian Pulisic's late winner for Chelsea. The Hammers are expected to be without a senior centre-back for the game, though, with Craig Dawson suspended and Angelo Ogbonna, Kurt Zouma and Issa Diop all injured.

After that comes another home game, with Leeds United visiting the Emirates Stadium, followed by what could be a massive North London Derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arteta's side will then round off the season with a trip to Newcastle United and a home meeting with an Everton side who could be fighting for their lives after dropping into the bottom three this weekend.

Who will finish fourth? Have your say in the comments section

Arsenal moved up to fourth by beating Man Utd (Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur

After failing to climb back above Arsenal in Saturday's late kick-off, Spurs will look to get back on track after a worrying couple of weekends. The Brentford draw was an improvement on a home defeat against Brighton, but it still represented two successive games without a goal.

Like their neighbours, Spurs' next game is against a team with European commitments either side of the league fixture. Leicester City are up against Roma in their Europa Conference League semi-final, and Conte may hope that game remains delicately poised when the Foxes come to London.

May 7 brings the toughest test on paper, with a trip to title-chasing Liverpool, after which they will know the exact lay of the land going into the derby. Conte's men round off the season against two strugglers - Norwich might already be down before the final day meeting at Carrow Road, but before that there is a home game against a Burnley side dreaming of safety after climbing out of the bottom three with a third win in five games.

Spurs have failed to score in either of their last two games (CameraSport via Getty Images)

Manchester United

Man Utd midfielder Scott McTominay admitted the final few games are all about pride for Ralf Rangnick's side after Saturday's defeat. "Going out on the pitch and showing a bit of balls in your performances and not shying away from the ball or not doing everything right," the Scot said.

Things would be tough for Rangnick's men even without the two sides above them meeting on May 12. However, with that extra game in Arsenal and Spurs' favour, the task for United becomes even tougher.

The players can show incoming manager Erik ten Hag what they're capable of in the quartet of games, beginning with a game against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday. United are at home again next weekend, welcoming in-form Brentford, before rounding out the campaign with away games against Brighton and Crystal Palace.

Arsenal fixtures: West Ham (a), Leeds (h), Tottenham (a), Newcastle (a), Everton (h).

Tottenham fixtures: Leicester (h), Liverpool (a), Arsenal (h), Burnley (h), Norwich (a).

Man Utd fixtures: Chelsea (h), Brentford (h), Brighton (a), Crystal Palace (a).

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