Arsenal's slim hopes of finishing in the top four will go to the final day of the season after Alexis Sanchez struck twice in a 2-0 win against already-relegated Sunderland.
The hosts had over 30 shots, which highlighted their dominance of the game, but a combination of great goalkeeping by Jordan Pickford and poor finishing left the Gunners waiting until the latter stages of the match to secure the points.
Regardless of what happens on the final day of the season and in the FA Cup final, this match once again emphasised the need for Arsenal to sort out the future of Sanchez as soon as possible. The Chilean, who has now scored 23 league goals this season, was our saviour once again and the club needs to do everything in its power to ensure he stays at the Emirates.
Sanchez had a goal disallowed in the first half due to the shot hitting a hand on its way in, while Olivier Giroud forced a decent save out of Pickford in the Sunderland goal.
Hector Bellerin and Granit Xhaka both sent efforts off target as the Gunners continued to create chances, but for all their dominance Arsenal very nearly fell behind just after the half hour mark. Didier N'Dong was put through on goal, but Petr Cech did well to deny him before the Gunners' goalkeeper palmed away a shot from Jermain Defoe soon after.
Bellerin sent a shot into the side netting, while Aaron Ramsey saw his effort well parried by Pickford. From the resulting corner Rob Holding headed straight at Pickford as the scores remained goalless going in at the break.
Although they had been on the backfoot for most of the first half, Sunderland nearly took a shock lead soon after the restart. Cech was forced to get a hand onto Nacho Monreal's firm backpass to push it away to safety. Sunderland were awarded an indirect free-kick soon after and Sebastian Larsson's lobbed effort was defended well and headed over the crossbar by Rob Holding.
Arsenal continued to create, but waste chances, as Aaron Ramsey saw his effort cleared away off the line by Javier Manquillo. Pickford was also called into action soon after, this time getting enough on the ball to put substitute Danny Welbeck's strike behind for a corner.
The Gunners finally made the breakthrough 18 minutes from time and there was definitely a huge sense of relief as the goal went in. Xhaka released Mesut Ozil in the box with a fine lofted pass before the German international squared the ball for Sanchez to score from close range.
Xhaka and substitute Alex Iwobi were denied by more decent goalkeeping from Pickford before Arsenal doubled their advantage to put the result beyond doubt after 81 minutes. Giroud latched onto a fine pass from Shkodran Mustafi before hooking the ball towards goal. Pickford managed to palm Giroud's initial effort away, but Sanchez was on hand to head home.
The scoreline was not as convincing as it should have been, but we did what mattered most and got all three points. There is now just one game left of our league campaign and, although our hopes are slim, we still have an outside chance of making the top four.
We will lie in fifth place going into the final round of Premier League fixtures. Just one point separates us from fourth-placed Liverpool, while we are three behind Manchester City in third. If we can beat Everton at home in our final league match of the season, we can only snatch fourth spot if Liverpool drop points against Middlesbrough or if Manchester City somehow get battered by Watford.
Fourth looks very unlikely, but as the old saying goes, it ain't over until the fat lady sings!
OPPOSITION VIEW
Sunderland fan Shaun Clewes was left feeling frustrated after his side's performance at the Emirates.
"It was poor from us again," said Clewes. "Poor defending and toothless up front sums up our season.
"Pickford and Defoe are the only gut who can hold their heads high this season. It was an inevitable Arsenal win."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Decent result, but that performance wasn't quite good enough. Yes we created a plethora of chances and yes Pickford had a great game in goal, but our ratio of shots to shots on target was inexcusable. We need to get better at killing games off much earlier. If Welbeck can stay fit for more of a season, and if Perez can get a decent run of games, we might do better. But I still feel that we need to sign a top class striker likely to get us 25+ goals a season. That would make the real difference!
As much as I would love Arsenal to sneak into the top four, I just can't see it. Although I think we have a good chance of beating Everton, I can't see Liverpool getting anything other than a win against Middlesbrough. Even if Watford can get something out of their clash with Manchester City goal difference wouldn't be enough, so it looks like we'll miss out on the top four unless a footballing miracle happens.
But however unlikely our chances are it is still mathematically possible so we need to get behind the lads and believe! Let's give it one final push and hope other results go our way!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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