I know. I am clutching at straws hoping that Norwich City are going to do Arsenal a favour on Sunday when the likelihood is that the Canaries will play like they have all season and get turned over.
However, stick with me in the most optimistic way. Let’s perhaps hypothetically consider the possibility that Norwich do somehow beat Antonio Conte’s Spurs. Arsenal will need to win their game at home to Everton to have a chance.
Everton face Crystal Palace tonight (Thursday) at Goodison Park with the chance to confirm their safety in the Premier League. A win over Patrick Vieira’s side would mean that Leeds United would be unable to catch them on the final day.
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Leeds travel to Brentford on Sunday whereas Burnley, who play Aston Villa tonight, will host Newcastle. So what do Arsenal want from tonight’s game?
It might be obvious to say that Everton confirming safety would give them nothing to play for when they come to visit Arsenal. However, Mikel Arteta has already been burned by a side with nothing to lose.
The 2-0 loss to already safe Newcastle United on Monday night has all but ended Arsenal’s top-four hopes by handing the advantage to Tottenham. Perhaps then Arteta will be hoping the pressure remains on the Toffees this Sunday.
With that additional concern, could doubt be in the minds of the Everton players knowing they might need to get a result should both Burnley and Leeds’ results go against them? Arguably so.
Therefore, it might be better for former Arsenal man and club legend Vieira to win tonight in order to take the relegation scrap for Everton to the Emirates. The Toffees have buckled under pressure several times, most recently in their last match against Brentford.
Despite the intense start and early goal, a red card brought the Bees back into the game. Eventually, the game turned entirely, and Brentford led 3-2 before Everton suffered another red card.
Should something miraculous happen Sunday and Norwich get a victory over Tottenham, Arsenal might welcome the Everton jitters. The errors that have seen them plummet into an unexpected relegation battle. The worry for Arsenal, however, remains regarding their squad. No matter who wins tonight, what team Arsenal will be able to field remains a mystery.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Emile Smith-Rowe are all doubts and could join Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey on the absentee list, ruling out the entire starting back four for a game that could still gift the Gunners Champions League qualification.
