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Arsenal's quest for a Champions League spot suffered a big blow after losing to Crystal Palace -- their second loss at home after the opening day defeat to Manchester City. They have made life very difficult for themselves, although they still have their "destiny" in their hands, if they can win the remaining games of the season, even if their rivals drop points or not.
If the Gunners had beaten Crystal Palace over the weekend, they would probably have needed five points from their last four games to clinch a top-four finish, but as it stands now, they will probably need 8 points to be sure of Champions League football next season.
This is a crucial period in their season and there may not be second chances to right the wrongs of the past. Here are 3 reasons why there is no margin for error for the North Londoners.
#1 Arsenal's direct Champions League rivals could drop more points
One of the reasons why Arsenal still have their "destiny" in their hands is due to the fact that their direct rivals were also found culpable of dropping points when it mattered the most.
Manchester United suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Goodison Park against Everton, while Chelsea could only manage to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge against Burnley, thus opening the door for Arsenal to still be in control of their Champions league hopes.
Tottenham seem to have pulled clear of the rest of the chasing trio of United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Even if the Gunners win tonight against Wolves, they will still be a point behind their arch-rivals.
However, that is not to take away anything from the importance of the next two games in the Premier League for Arsenal.
Arsenal will climb up to 69 points, and in fourth place, if they manage to pick up maximum points against the Wolves at the Molineux. This game represents the game in hand the Gunners have over Chelsea and it shows why it is a must-win one for them.
In addition to that, Manchester United will be hosting title-chasing Manchester City at Old Trafford. This may mean that United will be dropping more points and thus enable the Gunners to build a significant gap between them and the Red Devils on the Premier League table.
Crucially, Manchester United will host Chelsea on Sunday, meaning the two rivals of the Gunners will go head to head. This also makes the Gunners' away game at Leicester City a must-win game as well.
#2 Confidence builder for their final home game
It is no longer news that the last home game ended in disappointment for the Gunners. Prior to it, there has been so much talk about how the Gunners have been strong at home, beating their opponents in convincing fashion all through the season, even their top four rivals.
However, that seemed to have simmered down a bit with this latest defeat at home to Crystal Palace. Arsenal play Brighton at home in their final home game of the season and it is going to be a crucial one as well. They will need all the confidence going into that game starting from the game against the Wolves tonight and the one against Leicester City on Sunday.
We all saw how Brighton frustrated Tottenham last night until the dying stages of the game, before Christian Eriksen's wondergoal gave Tottenham all three points, so it may also be a frustrating night for the Gunners when The Seagulls come visiting.
#3 Motivation going into Europa semi-final first leg
The Europa League semi-final first leg game against Valencia is sandwiched between Premier League games against Leicester City and Brighton Hove Albion. The much-needed wins against these Premier League oppositions in Wolves and Leicester City will serve as a tonic for the Gunners to defeat Valencia handsomely in the first leg, before they travel to Spain for the second leg.
