Paul Merson has shared his opinion on the race for the top four this season and who will secure the final Champions League place.
Tottenham Hotspur head into this weekend’s fixtures five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United and have two games in hand over the Old Trafford outfit.
Antonio Conte’s side need to also have their eye on north London rivals Arsenal who occupy sixth place, two points behind United yet have played three games less.
Recent defeats to Southampton, Wolves and Burnley have somewhat derailed the advantage which Spurs appeared to had with games in hand and will certainly now have to beat the Gunners when the fixture is rescheduled, having been controversially postponed after the Premier League accepted the request on the grounds of a mixture of injuries, suspensions and Covid preventing them from naming a 14-man squad.
Merson believes that his former side Arsenal should be considered favourites to finish fourth given the level of opposition they will face in their remaining fixtures, while also highlighting Tottenham’s current inconsistency.
“Arsenal are heading for the top four,” Merson wrote for the Daily Star. “The way they won the Wolves game at the end was big and there’s a bit of unity now.
“The fans are onside and winning that game seems to have energised everyone.
“They have nice fixtures too from now until the end of the season and no one else is mounting a serious challenge are they?
“West Ham are a bit hit and miss, Tottenham are all over the place, Manchester United are a shambles, and Wolves just lost at the Emirates. Arsenal have to be the favourites to sneak into fourth now.”
SpursWeb Opinion
If Spurs missed out on a top four finish at the hands of Arsenal it would rub further salt into the wounds of those who support the white half of north London. It is absolutely imperative that the club secure Champions League football if they are to have half a chance of persuading Harry Kane and Antonio Conte to stay.