Bournemouth defeat not unexpected

This 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth was a dot on the cards. Even though Arteta fielded what is arguably to some (not me!) his best eleven from the players that are fit, it was never going to be a five-star performance with the PSG second-leg looming in the background.

Let's be honest, pretty much all teams struggle to focus on the nitty gritty when they have glamour and pressure to look forward to and to prioritise just days away.

If I'm making predictions about who's going to win league matches, often I go against teams who are playing in a cup final or an equally big game, especially if that team are not used to such a big occasion. Right now, for example, I'd steer clear of Crystal Palace players for my Fantasy Premier League team.

Likewise, years ago, back in 2004, when Millwall made it to the FA Cup final for the first time in their history, their league form suddenly became atrocious over night and they missed out on the play-offs, consequently.

Unfortunately, Arsenal's league form is just as dire and now second place is in jeopardy. Not only that, but even Champions League qualification is no longer assured. Are Arsenal really going to get maximum points for the remaining fixtures: no chance!

What they might do, though, is turn over the 1-0 deficit at the Parc de Princes, and set up the biggest final in the history of the club. Well, it will equal Wenger's achievement in taking Arsenal to a final in the same competition that was lost against Barcelona.

Like my dad always says, you learn when you lose. Let's hope Arsenal can figure out how to defend set pieces before heading to France, as that has proved their undoing on many occasions this season.

I just hope Arteta selects Merino from the start, as he's a physical presence and worries defenders, even though he's not an out-and-out striker. Actually, he's not even a forward, but he puts himself about and can make an impact.

Ideally, Arsenal will get an early goal in France and then it could be a final up next, if Arsenal can add another and keep a clean sheet. Yes, I know. That's a lot of 'if's, but Arsenal are more than capable. Let's not forget, they beat Real Madrid on their own patch! If lightning strikes again like it did when it rained Gooner goals in Spain, everyone will forget about the Bournemouth setback and then it'll be just one more match to go to see if Arsenal can lift Europe's most-coveted prize.

Let's keep dreaming Gooners and forget the nightmarish league form! Aim for the sky!

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

Two wins in the last seven league games and Arteta making five changes per match lately spell a definite end to the Gunners' title challenge.

When Rice raced 70 yards with the ball and fed Partey to blast Arsenal ahead, it looked like it could be a lacklustre three points.

Wissa had different ideas though, equalising with a deft flick that perhaps Raya could have done better with.

Arsenal finished the game with ten men after Jorginho picked up an injury. 

Clearly, all Arsenal's eggs are in one basket now: the Champions League.

Arsenal 0-0 Brentford (half time)

More like a pre-season friendly than anything, with the title all but lost and the little matter of a second leg versus Real Madrid to contend with.

Nevertheless, it provided a good run out for Tierney, who scored a header which was chalked off for offside and Zinchenko, so good he had his own song but now can't get into the team.

A lack of intensity is what the fans saw in the first 45 minutes, so it's hard to see how this game is going to go.

Everton 1-1 Arsenal

I just want to congratulate VAR and the match officials, who are allegedly fair people, for deciding the fate of the title with their decision-making, which has swerved from the vex-crime (yep, I made that word up, so does that make it a neologism?) to the ridiculous.

Quite honestly, Arsenal did just enough to win this game, but the Fates were against them. How was the Lewis-Skelly 'foul', when it was six of one and half a dozen of the other, given in the penalty box. I wasn't even sure it was a foul, but it was so clear and obvious that VAR didn't even show replays of the incident. I suspect there were other reasons why they didn't want their decision-making in the public eye, but we'll never know now.

Anyway, the penalty was despatched and Arsenal's last chance of putting any pressure on Liverpool at the top was effectively over, if it wasn't before.

Pickford was in imperious form in the Everton goal, and he was tested by a Martinelli pile driver, but not much else.

Arsenal had most of the possession, but the substitutes, apart from Tierney to some extent, offered no more than the players they replaced, so it was no surprise that the Gunners' title challenge faltered, after yet another VAR setback.

The referee's performance was questionable to say the least. He signalled for full time before the extra minutes had been played and then had to backtrack. As well as that, he allowed some agricultural challenges on Raya, as he was kicking the ball out. I thought that had been ruled out in modern football, but not at Goodison Park with this referee!

Of course, the penalty decision was an absolute travesty of justice. Jorginho thought so too and complained for so long and hard that he ended up with a yellow card. 

Despite the result, Arsenal can hold their heads up high, as it was a valiant performance.

Everton 0-1 Arsenal (half time)

The team selection for this game illustrated that Arteta's priority is the Champions League showdown against Real Madrid. 

Surprise starters included Sterling and Kiwior, the latter less so after Gabriel's season-ending injury. Also drafted in was Ben White, with Timber, who got a knock in the last game, moving to the bench.

I was disappointed to hear that Merino would start in midfield, as I thought his goal against Fulham would guarantee him a start upfront.

As usual, Arteta demonstrated his ability to pick the right team, as Sterling raced clear to unselfishly supply the pass for Trossard to place a shot into the far corner, putting Arsenal  ahead.

Trossard had a chance to double the lead but was thwarted in the attempt by Pickford, who successfully narrowed the angle and may have inadvertently injured the Belgian in the process.

The last thing Arsenal need right now is another body in sick bay, but they do need three points and at half time, fans could say: 'So far, so good.'

However, Everton and particularly Beto, looked dangerous on the break, so it's going to take all of Arsenal's resilience to keep their goal intact and keep up their long-distance breathing down the league leaders' necks.