LONDON • Unlike their top-four rivals, Arsenal have, on paper, the easiest run-in with none of the top six sides left to play after tomorrow's Premier League game at home to Manchester United.
However, there is a reason why pundits and bookmakers have placed them behind Tottenham, Chelsea and United to qualify for the Champions League next term.
When the Gunners continue to show the same weak mentality that punctuated the final few years of Arsene Wenger's tenure as they did at Rennes, crumbling 3-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, it invites questions about their ability to stay in the race.
Unai Emery's men were awful on Thursday night and were powerless to stem the dominance of Julien Stephan's team after the first-half dismissal of defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The French Ligue 1 side won with strikes from Benjamin Bourigeaud and Ismaila Sarr, and an own goal by Nacho Monreal, after Alex Iwobi had opened the scoring for the visitors.
With their away form "a bit of a disaster", Martin Keown deems the Emirates clash to be "season-defining".
POWERING UP
I'm positive that with fresh players, with energy, with quality, that we have the possibility to put in a big performance against United and win against them.
UNAI EMERY, Arsenal boss, who wants every player to step up for the Premier League clash that could make or break their top-four hopes.
The ex-Arsenal defender told BT Sport: "They have been inconsistent, but their next game is at home and they have been strong there.
"Manchester United could be the perfect team to play next for Arsenal, the fans will demand it (the win) so bring them on.
"The problem Emery is having is he is not picking his best team. You have to pick your best team, I know Aaron Ramsey is leaving but, if you have to play him, so be it."
Pundit Michael Owen also feels "Arsenal cannot afford to lose the game if they want to get into the top four".
The former Liverpool and United striker told BT Sport: "It's really important for Arsenal.
"If Manchester United win and go four points clear, then it's going to be hard for Arsenal. They have got the momentum as well.
"Tonight (in France) was a big disappointment, no getting away from it. But that's what Arsenal are, they're an inconsistent team. You never know what team is going to turn up."
Emery has called for a "very big performance from each player" ahead of tomorrow's clash.
He said: "They (United) are in a very good moment, but we are together in the table and we played against them one month ago in the FA Cup (fourth round) - we lost 3-1, but I remember we did very good things, we had chances.
"We know Sunday is a tough match, an amazing match for everybody, we will be at home with our supporters."
"I'm positive that with fresh players (striker Alexandre Lacazette is expected to return to the starting line-up after being suspended in Europe), with energy, with quality, that we have the possibility to put in a big performance against United and win against them."
And goalkeeper Petr Cech dismissed suggestions the defeat at Roazhon Park would be damaging for team morale, insisting that Arsenal could "still overcome a two-goal deficit because in the end, the (away) goal we scored might play a big part (in the second leg next Thursday)".
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
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Captain Tim Paine expressed his relief after Australia beat India in the second Test to level the series at 1-1. Having lost in Adelaide, the Baggy Greens hit back in Perth to record a 146-run triumph and ensure there is everything to play for when the battle is resumed in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
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American Football - Usa24informator
usa24informator.com/category/sports/american-football/
Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump said he wants to meet with NFL players and other athletes who kneel during the National Anthem so they can recommend people they think should be pardoned due to unfair treatment by the justice system.
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Why Jurgen Klopp has no option but to risk another early FA Cup exit. Blood Red: James Pearce on the dilemma facing the Reds boss ahead of the trip to Molineux
Early FA Cup exit is not an advantage, insists Liverpool boss
Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday. The hosts, looking for a second successive
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first
sportstons.com/soccer/football-fulham-dig-deep-to-deny-newcastle-and-earn-first-clean-sheet/
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet LONDON (REUTERS) - Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday (Dec 22).
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The 4 Kinds of Professional Respect: Which Ones Have to Be Earned and Shown? manipulability and forms of respect, the rest being at best a bonus or at worst
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Football: Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon Lyon's Anthony Lopes makes a save from Barcelona's Lionel Messi. Emmanuel Foudrot, Reuters LYON, France - Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0
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This rout virtually guaranteed Portugal passage to the second round and a second goalless draw with Brazil confirmed qualification. In the second round, they lost to Spain 1-0 and were knocked out having failed to score in three of their four World Cup matches. Queiroz was sacked by the Portuguese Football Federation on 9 September 2010.
Dictionary by Merriam-Webster: America's most-trusted online
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