Thomas Partey’s injury is costing Arsenal dearly in the battle for fourth

As was the case in the 2018-19 season, no team seems to want to finish fourth in the Premier League. Manchester United were the big winners at the weekend, a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo helping them to beat Norwich and pick up three vital points as Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham all stumbled.

Before their defeat to Liverpool last month, Arsenal were in the driving seat to join Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in the Champions League next season. They were fourth in the table, a point clear of Manchester United with three games in hand, and six points clear of Spurs with a game in hand on Antonio Conte’s side. Even after their defeat to Liverpool – a game they were expected to lose given the visitors’ incredible run of form and impressive record at the Emirates – they seemed to be in pole position.

Their collapse in recent weeks has been almost, dare we say it, Spursy. Their 1-0 defeat to Southampton over the weekend was their third on the trot and their fourth in five games, with a narrow win at Aston Villa the only bright spark in a dreary run of form. Arsenal have only scored two goals in their last five games.

Arsenal may still recover in time to grasp that final Champions League spot – Spurs are currently fourth and they are hardly immune to unexpected defeats either – but they will need to do so without Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian picked up a calf injury in Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace earlier this month and looks likely to miss the run-in. Speaking before Arsenal’s defeat to Southampton, Mikel Arteta said it was “not looking very positive for his availability this season”. The former Atlético Madrid midfielder has been exceptional this season and is proving to be a big loss for Arteta.

Partey