A recent resurgence has seen Arsenal regain control of the Premier League top-four race from Tottenham Hotspur and potentially put themselves in contention to battle Chelsea for third place.

Just over a week ago, it looked like the Gunners were going to struggle to finish fourth, let alone hunt down Thomas Tuchel’s side after losing three games on the rebound to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton, which left them three points clear of the Champions League final spot – despite having played one game less than Spurs.

And to the surprise of many, Arsenal used the current game to their advantage by beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to close in on their north London rivals and then moved into fourth place last weekend with a 3 win. -1 on Manchester United. as well as Spurs drawing 0-0 with Brentford.

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Those wins also brought the Gunners within two points of Chelsea ahead of their Sunday afternoon kick-off against West Ham United, and until Christian Pulisic’s last-minute winner it looked like Tuchel’s side would to be drawn into a top four. battle as they would have had a three point cushion had the game ended scoreless.

Interestingly, in a pre-match press conference, the German pointed out that the Blues have yet to finish in the top four: “We never feel safe. I never feel secure. safety in the Premier League. That’s fine. I don’t think anyone should, ever, because feeling safe doesn’t keep you on your toes,” he said. is very close, a thin line not to be completely alert. I never feel safe at any time during the season, and nobody should be in the Premier League.”

Much to Tuchel’s relief, Pulisic scored and instead the west Londoners restored their five-point gap with Arsenal. Now, after their trip to Old Trafford on Thursday night, both teams have now played the same number of games, meaning the idea of ​​a top three finish for Mikel Arteta’s side can be assessed.

Of course, the best-case scenario before a ball was thrown at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ would have been for the hosts to avoid defeat, as Arsenal dropping eight points behind Chelsea with five games to play would have realistically ended the slight. chance of a top three. to end.

In the end, the two teams had to settle for a split in points. Despite being the better side and taking the lead through Marcos Alonso, the Blues were pushed back almost immediately as Cristiano Ronaldo followed up with another five days later against the Gunners.

With Chelsea six points clear of Arsenal, some may argue the door is slightly ajar for the Gunners to finish third. For that to happen, Arteta’s side will have to win all of their remaining games and hope their London rivals don’t get the required 10 points that would end those slim chances once and for all.

Arsenal’s remaining matches

West Ham United (A) – May 1

Leeds United (H) – May 8

Tottenham (A) – May 12

Newcastle United (A) – May 16

Everton (H) – May 22

Chelsea’s remaining matches

Everton (A) – May 1

Wolves (H) – May 7

Leeds United (A) – May 11

Leicester City (H) – May 19

Watford (H) – May 22