I'm sitting here staring at my screen wondering how the hell Arsenal have managed to implode so spectacularly. Again. Every damn year we go through this rollercoaster with them. The team that promised so much is now limping towards the finish line like they've collectively forgotten how to play football.
God. Remember when we were all talking about Arsenal winning the double just a few weeks ago?
From title challengers to... this mess
The Champions League dream is dead. Buried. Gone. PSG made sure of that with that 3-1 aggregate win that honestly flattered Arsenal. I was at the Emirates for the second leg and the atmosphere went from electric to funeral in about 30 minutes. The bloke next to me literally put his scarf over his face after the second goal went in. Couldn't bear to watch.
And now Arteta has to somehow rally his troops for what should've been a victory lap but has turned into a desperate scramble to avoid complete catastrophe.
Wait... could they actually miss out on Champions League football?
Yes. They absolutely could. And here's why that's keeping me up at night.
Arsenal have won just THREE of their last ten Premier League games. THREE! My Sunday league team has a better record than that, and half of them show up hungover. The Bournemouth defeat was the final straw for many fans I know. My WhatsApp group went nuclear - one friend simply sent "I'm done" and hasn't responded since.
Liverpool have strolled to the title while Arsenal have been busy shooting themselves in both feet.
The nightmare scenario nobody's talking about
So here's teh thing that's got me properly worried. Despite the Premier League getting FIVE Champions League spots this year (thanks to being one of the two strongest leagues in Europe), Arsenal could still miss out.
Man City are just three points behind and playing like... well, City. Newcastle, Chelsea, Forest and Villa are all within striking distance. And Arsenal's remaining fixtures? Liverpool away (where they haven't won since 2012), Newcastle at home (a proper six-pointer), and Southampton away.
Back in 2012 when Arsenal last won at Anfield, I was still in university and thought Cazorla was going to lead us to glory. How naive I was.
Do the math - it's terrifying
Arsenal are on 67 points. If they beat Newcastle, they hit 70 and they're safe. Simple. But this is Arsenal we're talking about.
If they only manage to pick up a single point from their remaining three games? The door swings wide open for everyone else. Villa would need to win all three of their games. Forest would need to do the same.
The goal difference is in Arsenal's favor (thank goodness for something), but that's cold comfort if they completely capitulate.
I spent $200 on a new Arsenal jersey in January. Feels like a terrible investment now.
From "we're gonna win the league" to "please just don't embarrass us further"
You know what's most painful? Watching Pep Guardiola maintain his record of finishing above Arsenal in every single season he's managed in England. It's like he's got some sort of voodoo curse on us.
I texted my City-supporting mate after their win yesterday. His response: "Enjoy Thursday nights in Azerbaijan next season." Brutal.
Listen. I've supported Arsenal through thick and thin since I was 7 years old. I've seen the glory days and I've seen whatever this is. But missing Champions League football when FIVE teams qualify? That would be a new low.
Even Southampton, who might go down as joint-worst in Premier League history, could have their moment against us on the final day.
Typical Arsenal. Always finding new ways to break our hearts.
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