Match Report
Arsenal's chances of winning the Premier League are merely mathematical. Even Arsène Wenger, one of football's optimists, could only allude to miracles when talk turned to trophies ahead of Sunday's game with Everton.
Even before the match kicks-off, those hopes may be over. If either Manchester United or Chelsea win at the weekend then Arsenal will be out of the race and Sir Alex Ferguson's side play on Saturday lunchtime.
Understandably, at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Wenger's focus was on points not prizes. The manager still has a bitter taste in his mouth after the events of the last month. The top two in the table will also contest the Champions League Final and Wenger knows that, but for the merest of margins, it could have been Arsenal.
"The Premier League was very tight but we want to focus on finishing well now," the 58-year-old. "We would like to get to 83 points.
"That would be a big improvement and of course there is still a mathematical chance we could win the title.
"We have played well the whole season and we don't think we have been rewarded for the efforts we have put in. We have been consistent, losing just three games, and nobody expected us to do that at the start of the year.
"Now we will have to wait for the results of others to see if we have a chance of the title.
"Unfortunately the Premier League is not played in Lourdes, it is played in England!
"I think Manchester United will win the title and they will be worthy winners. Chelsea have a disadvantage right now because of course they depend on the result of their opponents."
Robin van Persie will sit out Sunday's game. The Dutchman went off at half-time at Derby on Monday with a slight thigh injury and Wenger has decided not to risk aggravating it any further. Mathieu Flamini (ankle) could be back. But the manager will persist with youngsters like Lukasz Fabianski, Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner in order to give them valuable first-team experience.
Everton have yet to completely secure fifth spot ahead of Aston Villa so, if West Ham can get something at Old Trafford, this will be far removed from a stale end-of-season affair.
"Everton have faded a little bit in last sprint," said Wenger. "Fourth place for them was little bit like first place for us. They just dropped their level a little bit and quickly they got punished.
"They can not afford to lose points and perhaps we cannot afford to lose points either. We beat them well up there and we want to do it again on Sunday."
If Arsenal avoid defeat at Emirates Stadium they will complete an unbeaten season at home. It would also take their record at their new ground to 55 games with just one defeat - an enviable record. For Wenger, it is just another reason to be cheerful rather than fearful.
"The overall quality of the season has been absolutely outstanding," he said. "Because it is without a trophy - by that I mean the Champions League and the Premier League - people are very negative.
"But we have to take the needed distance and recognise that we have produced quality and consistency.
"We have to improve our killer instinct at the crucial stage of the season but you must believe in this team because I feel that they are very special.".
