Here is your Arsenal morning digest on Thursday, April 21.
Arteta's Chelsea verdict
Mikel Arteta has praised his Arsenal side following the Gunners' emphatic win over Chelsea. Goals from Hale End academy graduates Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe saw the Gunners' go level on points with local rivals Tottenham Hotspur as the race for Champions League places heats up ahead of next month's North London Derby.
Speaking after the match, Arteta praised his players' performance. "What I love is the spirit of these players," the Spaniard said.
"When you lose matches you get punished and criticised but with these players I don’t care because they’re growing. For us to win a London derby away the way we did it I’m really happy as well."
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READ MORE: Tottenham vs Arsenal: Who wins Champions League race with North London Derby looming?
Pogba injury doubt for Arsenal clash
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick says he fears midfielder Paul Pogba will not be available for the side’s upcoming clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea. It comes following the Red Devils’ 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool on Tuesday.
The heavy defeat has seen their chances of a top-four finish take a blow, with United currently sitting sixth in the table, three points behind Tottenham in the final Champions League qualifying place and having played a game more than Antonio Conte's side. It gives an advantage to both sides heading into the derby between Chelsea and Arsenal on Wednesday night, with at least one of the two sides set to extend their lead over them.
Pogba’s injury came early into the game, adding to the injuries of midfielders Fred and Scott McTominay, forcing playmaker Bruno Fernandes to play in a deeper role that isn’t natural to him. Discussing the injury to MUTV after the game, Rangnick said: “He [Pogba] pulled a calf muscle. I fear he will not be available for Arsenal [on Saturday] or for Chelsea [on April 28].”
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Supercomputer predicts outcome of top four race
A supercomputer has predicted that Tottenham will beat Arsenal and Manchester United to a top four finish this season, with Spurs just edging the Gunners come the end of the campaign. It comes after a horrific fortnight for Mikel Arteta's side that has completely changed the balance of the race for Champions League qualification.
Arsenal were thought to be in the driving seat just two weeks ago, but defeat in each of their last three games has completely altered proceedings. Manchester United seemingly capitalised on Spurs and Arsenal's respective losses to Brighton and Southampton at the weekend by beating Norwich at home, but their 4-0 thumping at Anfield last night means they've slipped back down to sixth on goal difference. However, Arsenal's sensational 4-2 victory over Chelsea yesterday sees them sit in fifth, level on points with Tottenham.
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