The importance of being third.
The top four. It’s three words Arsenal fans have been focusing on since the team stumbled out of the blocks and seemingly fell on its ass last August. Within the first few weeks of the season we knew (for the most part) that the title was out of reach. Now Arsenal had to focus on finishing in the top four in order to maintain Champion’s League football – the absolutely minimum requirement of this club.
Well, with Chelsea’s improbable run to the Champion’s League final, fourth place may no longer be an option. Chelsea seem to be doing what the imaginary Cleveland Indians in the movie Major League did – winning the whole damn thing. Hell, Chelsea even have their own version of Corbin Bernsen in John Terry.(watch the movie you’ll see what I mean).
So here is why third is now the absolute minimum for Arsenal.
If Chelsea Win the Champion’s League –
If Chelsea were to come from 6th position and finish third, the Premier League’s fourth place team would enter the play-off stage which is the normal process we are all aware of.
If Chelsea finish fourth then all top 4 teams would go in to the Champion’s League Group stages.
Should Chelsea finish fifth or below, then as Champions they would still go into the Group Stages. The rules of the competition say that no nation can have no more than four teams in the competition so the fourth place team would then get knocked into the Europa League and the top three teams would go into the Group Stages.
To see all the permeations go to the Premier League web site for a more detailed explanation.
So there you have it. Because of what is happening to the team from West London, we now have to win out right and ensure our 3rd place position. Chelsea are not going to move out of 6th place that I can see at this point. Not with 6 games remaining (4 league and 2 cup finals). They are injured and still whatever is going on in Europe does not seem to be equating to success in England. Still, the way things have been going you never know right?
Obvious we’d all be better served if Chelsea finished 6th and didn’t win the Champion’s League right?
It helps with the Robin Van Persie Situation
What Robin Van Persie situation? True he is under contract to the end of 2013. And by all indications the club are very willing to let that contract run out. It’s a pretty shrewd move actually. If they do it, he is a year older, there is no guarantee that the form this season will be repeated next so getting the kind of contract he might be seeking is not entirely likely to happen.
That being said, there are stories Arsenal are set to break the bank with a new 3-year £140,000 week deal. This new deal would ensure that Robin becomes the highest paid player in the history of the club. It would also reward him for being as successful as he has been.
But it goes beyond money for the Dutch hitman. Robin Van Persie is a fierce competitor and he wants to play against the best. He can do that in the Champion’s League. While the Europa League is actually showing some real quality, it’s still not on par with the quality in the Champion’s League.
Finishing anywhere lower than in a Champion’s League spot would likely cause Van Persie to pause and consider his options. He might be inclined to stay should talent be brought in around him and that looks like something the club are trying to do.
Lukas Podolski is all but done and reports came out of Germany this week that FC Köln have rubber stamped the deal. Additionally, Arsenal are said to be in the pole position to sign Montpellier striker Oliver Giroud. While his fee may be high according to the French club, he has a relatively low buy—out clause in his contract. Chief French scout recently mentioned that Arsenal were indeed interested in the forward. Then finally there is the consistent links to Yann M’Villa, Christen Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen.
In all these cases it seems Arsenal have identified quality targets that represent shrewd purchases but are also of the quality Robin Van Persie I think would respond well to should they come to the club. These are the kind of players that can fill out the roster of a club that is only a few scant parts away from being contenders again (yes, I know how many times we’ve said or heard that before.)
The Big MO –
Arsenal have stalled a little recently with the shock loss to Wigan and the draw against Chelsea’s team bus this weekend. Still Arsenal have won 9 of their last 12 and have built a nice impressive run. They need to end the season on a high note and hopefully have that high carry them over into preparations for next season.
Momentum is a curious thing, especially in this league. It can have lasting effects. Manchester City combined their run to the end last season into a good start to this season. It can be done.
As Arsenal fans we can see what can happen when you skid into the end of a season – like last season and start off sluggishly the next. Winning the last three games would have a positive effect for the fans as well as the players.
For fans we didn’t have a lot to celebrate in terms of outcomes to the season. Finishing on a high note in 3rd place would be a cool salve to the sting we’ve taken this season. No, it won’t right all the wrongs. No, it is not silverware but it would be a step in the right direction.
It’s 3rd or bust!
Until next time – Stay Goonerish!
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