LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has the golden prize of the Champions League firmly in his sights. The two-legged tie with Real Madrid is all what most Arsenal fans are thinking about in what has been a topsy-turvy season.
However, Arsenal have two Premier League games before they face the Spanish giants in the European quarter final. They face Everton on Saturday, April 5, and before then next Tuesday against Fulham represents perhaps Arsenal’s last chance to apply some pressure on Liverpool at the top.
Arsenal go first - 24 hours ahead of the Merseyside derby with Liverpool entertaining Everton at Anfield - and victory over Fulham would reduce the gap at the top to nine points. Liverpool had an almighty game with Everton at Goodison Park and you can be sure that David Moyes would love to cause an upset again in the return.
Liverpool have, of course, lost their last two games which has resulted in them going out of two competitions. They lost on penalties to Paris Saint Germain which ended Arne Slot’s hopes of European success in the Champions League.
Five days later, they lost the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle at Wembley when, finally, their legs seemed heavy and the whole season seemed to catch up with them. If Liverpool are going to have a wobble then this might represent a chance for Arsenal to at least make the Premier League table look respectable even if they cannot close the gap.
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It is hard to imagine that Arsenal could win all their games between now and the rest of the season and even harder to think that Liverpool - having lost one Premier League game all season - could suddenly lose four. But equally, Arsenal have to apply some pressure because losing the title by double figures would have to go down as a major disappointment for Gunners boss Arteta.
Arsenal were supposed to be the champions-in-waiting this season, the team ready to step up if Manchester City faltered. Yet Arsenal have suffered injuries and have felt - rightly or wrongly - a sense of injustice over sendings off and refereeing decisions.
Injuries cannot be just about bad luck. They have to be about overtraining and over-playing and Slot has been the master of rotating and managing his squad. Arteta has paid the price for relying so heavily on the likes of Bukayo Saka.
Do Arsenal stand a chance of winning the Premier League title? Have your say in the comments section.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta's side must take the fight to Liverpool ( Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
But despite everything, Arsenal must finish the season strongly. They have a big summer planned. Their first transfer target is Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi who is set to come in for £51million with Jorginho and Thomas Partey set to depart.
Arteta would love Newcastle’s Alexander Isak but the more realistic and affordable target is RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. They also want an explosive left winger and new No,2 keeper.
This could be a big summer for Arsenal and going all the way in the Champions League would certainly bolster the finances. But it cannot just be about Europe as Arsenal still have Premier League games, a top four place to cement and, hugely important, some pride to recover and pressure to be applied in the title race.
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