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Follow UsThe Gunners have gone one step away from being in the top 4 of the Premier League. They lost the all-important match against Brighton. They now face serious pressure to be on the next Champions League fixture.
Manchester United and West Ham did capitalize on Arsenal's misfortunes, with the Red Devils winning 3-2 and the Hammers managing a draw against Burnley.
With five game weeks left in the thrilling Premier League season, Sportzpoint looks at the last few games for the four sides battling it out to finish fourth.
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Arsenal
The results for Mikel Arteta's team have been fantastic in recent months, with the side losing its first three matches of the season and sitting bottom of the Premier League. However, two consecutive defeats put Arsenal's hopes of making any progress this season into serious jeopardy.
With seven Premier League games remaining this season, Arsenal has the most of any Champions League contenders, but their double-dip has erased their lead. Arsenal has dropped to sixth place following their defeat against Brighton and Southhampton, leaving them three points behind Tottenham (with a far inferior goal difference) with one game in hand.
Arteta's team will next travel to Manchester United and face difficult away games at Chelsea, West Ham, and Tottenham in the final stretch.
Manchester United
United's dismal season continued on Saturday when a deflected Anthony Gordon shot rescued a win for Everton against Manchester United at Goodison Park. Ralf Rangnick's team has only one victory in its last five Premier League games and will face an uphill battle to return to Champions League status next year.
United are currently in fifth place, after winning against Norwich City where Ronaldo scored his 50th club hat-trick. They will be now facing two challenging away games against Arsenal and Liverpool. May will see Rangnick's side host Brentford before heading to Brighton in what are anticipated to be two must-win games.
As the season enters the final stage, Manchester United must-visit Crystal Palace on the final day to wrap up their Premier League campaign. There's also the issue of rescheduling a previously scheduled meeting with Chelsea at Old Trafford before the year ends.
West Ham
West Ham's manager, David Moyes, has a record of success in the Premier League, but Brentford thumped the club on Saturday. The side is in seventh place with 52 points, having lost six of its last ten fixtures. However, they have the fewest number of matches remaining among the top four contestants (six).
Manchester United will travel to Lyon for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, and if they win, European commitments could cause further problems. The Irons will host Burnley at the London Stadium next Sunday before closing out April with a tasty London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The match between West Ham and Arsenal on May 1 may be crucial in determining whether either team stays in the Premier League's top four. The Hammers' Premier League campaign will come to a close with trips to Brighton and Norwich, followed by a visit from current league leaders and UCL semi-finalist Manchester City.
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Tottenham
Spurs are now the frontrunners to win the Premier League's fourth spot, which would guarantee them Champions League qualification next season. Antonio Conte's side extended their lead over Arsenal by three points after thrashing Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Spurs will play four matches in April. However, they have already started the month with 2 wins and one loss till now. Spurs have to be at their best going into the season's final month, when they first travel to Anfield to take on title contenders Liverpool before the rescheduled North London derby against Arsenal for May 12 at N17.
The last two games on paper appear to be simple for Spurs, who will travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley before hosting Norwich on the final day of the season. However, if the sitting relegation pair manages to salvage their Premier League status, Conte's side may face two daunting challenges.