Arsenal are set for a big week ahead of them, with the number of games until the end of the season dwindling down. They still have the advantage over sides around them, with a game in hand that could give them a much-needed three points.
North London rivals Tottenham, Manchester United and West Ham are all within a shout of getting into the top four, with Champions League qualification up for grabs. For each team, it could be the difference between how their project continues to develop.
For Mikel Arteta, qualification could mean attracting even better players, and continuing to build his project that has started to take off so well this season. On the other hand, missing out means the Spaniard may never have a better shot of getting the Gunners into the competition again.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta on exceptional Arsene Wenger and why top four mentality hasn't changed
With all that said, football.london has taken a close look at their upcoming fixture list and compared it with their rivals for fourth.
Arsenal: Brighton & Hove Albion (h), Southampton (a), Chelsea (a), Manchester United (h), West Ham United (a), Leeds United (h), Newcastle United (a), Everton (h), Tottenham (a)
Arsenal have potentially the toughest run until the end of the season, facing four of the top seven before the end of the season. Games against Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham, and the rescheduled North London Derby could all be defining fixtures for the season. It puts even more emphasis on winning games against sides down the bottom, though the likes of Everton and Leeds may pull something out of the bag as all teams in a relegation scrap do at the business end of the season.
Tottenham: Aston Villa (a), Brighton & Hove Albion (h), Brentford (a), Leicester City (h), Liverpool (a), Burnley (h), Norwich City (a), Arsenal (h)
Tottenham have just begun to find some form under Antonio Conte, with their 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle at the weekend just the latest indicator that the Italian is starting to get them to click. Games against Liverpool and Arsenal represent potential slipping points, but the rest are games they will be hoping to win in order to make a final charge towards the finish line.
West Ham: Brentford (a), Burnley (h), Chelsea (a), Arsenal (h), Norwich City (a), Manchester City (h), Brighton & Hove Albion (a)
David Moyes and his West Ham side have captured the imagination of some over the past year, with their rise to Europa League football and their current run this season making them serious contenders. However, the Hammers have played so many games and it appears to be catching up with them.
The side have played one game more than everyone, bar Arsenal, who they have played two more than, and have a tough run to the end with points separating fourth place. Of their seven games left, they face Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City and while they still have a chance, it may be a slim one at that.
Manchester United: Everton (a), Norwich City (h), Liverpool (a), Arsenal (a), Brentford (h), Brighton & Hove Albion (a), Chelsea (h), Crystal Palace (a)
Manchester United’s run of games to come are similar, with games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all presenting potential problems. Their 2-2 draw with Leicester last time out has not helped their cause and a run of wins on the bounce looks necessary to start next season in the Champions League.
