Fourth the target but third is achievable for Arteta’s gritty Gunners

Arsenal knew beating Villa was huge for their top-four hopes. But perhaps the Gunners could qualify for the Champions League with a third-place flourish…

Bukayo Saka spoke of the need for Arsenal to ‘stay humble’ down the home straight as they chase a return to the Champions League but Martin Keown took the faux-modesty too far in the wake of the Gunners huge win at Aston Villa.

“I think Spurs look favourites to make it into the top four,” said Keown while the away fans reluctantly brought their party to a close just below the BT Sport studio in which the former Arsenal defender was trying too hard not to get carried away by a thoroughly impressive performance from Mikel Arteta’s men.

Keown was fooling no one. Of course Arsenal are favourites – the Premier League table tells you that. But even beyond the four-point gap they have over Manchester United and the six-point cushion between themselves and West Ham and Tottenham, the Gunners’ performances highlight how better equipped they are than their rivals to claim that fourth spot.

Their display at Villa Park had almost everything Arteta could have asked for. Arsenal were better in every department than a subdued Villa side who ought not to have been in with a chance of securing a point with the final kick of the game.

Arteta: Saka did his ‘duty’ as Arsenal overcome ‘extremely difficult’ Villa

The only thing lacking from Arsenal was the goals their control deserved. One was enough, shinned in by Saka from the edge of the box in the first half, but such a narrow advantage made for a nervier conclusion than it needed to be.

Perhaps even that worked in Arsenal’s favour. Had they seen the game out with ease, the final whistle might not have been met with such jubilation, with