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Will Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea finish in top four?

By Matt Townsend

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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With just a few games of the season left to play, will Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea finish in the top four and secure Champions League football next season.

The last few weeks saw several potentially very significant games as the race amongst the leading London clubs for a top four finish hots up.

Manchester City are seemingly out of reach at the premier league summit and Manchester United are maintaining their hold on second place, although after defeat to Newcastle, only just. So it seems that there are probably only two Champions Leagues places up for grabs.

Liverpool are also looking good for another place in the top four after another comfortable win at Southampton so that means the struggle for the other place is becoming a real dog-fight. The previous two weeks of games could prove decisive in that race.

Recently Chelsea suffered a humiliating defeat at Watford, while Arsenal thrashed Everton and Tottenham earned a controversial point at Anfield.

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Chelsea’s defeat at Vicarage Road could prove to be very costly. The team’s lacklustre display included another poor defensive performance and continued a poor run of recent form for the club, including a humbling defeat at home to Bournemouth.

Too many of them are again not performing to their level of last season and it’s obvious the side are missing Diego Costa’s influence up front. Will Olivier Giroud prove a capable replacement?

Their poor form this season could cost Conte his job too. It seems insane that after such an outstanding title triumph including a record 30 league wins, he could be facing the sack this time round.

But as we all know Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is notorious for his unwillingness to tolerate any sustained drop in form and to fire his managers at will, whatever their reputation. Will Abramovich pull the trigger before the season is out?

For his part Conte anyway seems increasingly disillusioned with life at Stamford Bridge. It’s been rumoured that he has struggled to adapt to life in London as have his family.

His disarmingly honest comments about his own failings in player recruitment don’t give the impression of a man expecting to stay for much longer. Certainly the odds on his leaving this summer have shortened.

Chelsea’s victory against West Bromwich Albion this week could prove critical for their top four hopes, especially with United’s loss at Newcastle. They had to take advantage of that slip up.

After their frantic transfer window dealings, Arsenal dismantled a poor Everton side at the Emirates two weeks ago. New striker Pierre-Emerick Abameyuang also opened his Arsenal account in that 5-1 win.

But as always it seems that it is Arsenal’s defensive frailties and their poor away from against other top six sides that will prove decisive in deciding where in the league they finish.

Again after easily beating an inconsistent mid-table side in Everton, Arsenal couldn’t follow it up when playing their bitter rivals and neighbours. Their loss to Tottenham this weekend leaves them seven points adrift of Chelsea in fourth, a gap that seems almost impossible to bridge.

For their part Spurs grabbed a late point at Liverpool last weekend and then beat Arsenal to return, temporarily, to the top four. Once again the team’s reliance on Harry Kane was underlined with his penalty securing the draw at Anfield, whilst he also scored the goal that beat Arsenal.

Next: Chelsea struggling to find last season's form

An injury to Kane would be the nightmare scenario for Spurs such is his importance to his side. Assuming that doesn’t happen and with key defender Toby Alderweireld nearly fit again, Tottenham seem best equipped of the London teams to finish in that all-important Champions League place.

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