Mikel Arteta and his players will be relieved after getting the job done following a 2-1 win over West Ham to climb up to fourth place and back above Tottenham in their quest to return to Champions League football.
Arsenal recorded their third consecutive win after Rob Holding opened the scoring, heading home a Bukayo Saka corner, which was later cancelled out by Jarrod Bowen's strike. But the Gunners remained focused and determined, fighting hard to come out on top as Gabriel headed home the second.
With just four games left to the end of the regular campaign, the Gunners sit fourth, two points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham. As things stand, Arteta's side will play Champions League football next season, but the major question still remains: can they cling onto it?
Last year, the north London outfit failed to qualify for any form of European football for the first time in 25 years. The Spanish boss, who played at the Emirates between 2011 and 2016 and was used to playing in Europe's biggest stages, had to settle for less.
Arteta admitted how hard it has been watching the European competitions, without being a part of it with Arsenal. "It hurts a lot," he said back in September . "In the past few days it was hurting to put the television on and see those teams in there and not see Arsenal there, it was painful."
But one thing is certain, the Emirates side have used that as a motivator this season. As Arteta put it earlier in the season: "I don’t want to be sitting with Arsenal out of those competitions. We have the focus and the trigger is that."
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Their next challenge for the Gunners is Leeds at home next weekend. It promises to be a tough game against a team who will be desperate to add points to the board and avoid a potential drop. Jesse Marsch's side are currently 17th on 34 points, only two points adrift the relegation zone after Everton picked up a hard-fought 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
The Gunners however, must solely depend on themselves if they are to keep their three-game winning streak going. With Spurs showing signs of re-finding their own form with a 3-1 win over Leicester on Sunday, there is no room for slip-ups, especially considering they will make a trip to Spurs on Thursday, May 12 in a match which is poised to be key for both sides, and a tasty affair even for the neutral.
The result will potentially determine the outcome of the two teams in terms of which side will compete in the Champions League and Europa League next year. A trip to Newcastle will then follow, just four days later before the final day of the season at home to Everton.
Arsenal have the advantage of being front-runners. They have the form. Now they just have to execute.
