There was something utterly backwards about the hopes some Arsenal supporters had that Tottenham would start to take advantage of Unai Emery's best attempts at scuppering a historic season for Aston Villa and Champions League qualification. Gunners supporters know all too well about that.

Spurs have all but lost their chance of a top-four finish after a 13th goal in the last four matches was conceded at Anfield as Liverpool won 4-2. Of course, their match against Manchester City on the penultimate match of both club's respective seasons is the one which rightfully Arsenal will want to see their rivals come away with something.

However, the build-up to this game has been about whether Spurs would have something to play for. With Villa nearly out of sight now in the Champions League race, that desire is clearly not one to hang on to.

However, many who have been committing Arsenal football fan blasphemy with their want of a Tottenham victory or two can now look at the table gleefully. Their form combined with that of Newcastle United and Chelsea means that Europa League qualification is suddenly in peril.

All three clubs have played 35 games and have three remaining, with Newcastle within four points of Tottenham and Chelsea within six. Spurs are at home to Burnley this weekend, a side who are in desperate need of a win and have done well to stay in the race for survival by picking up some unlikely points along the way.

Chelsea meanwhile have Nottingham Forest and Newcastle have Brighton. After this weekend’s games, should Spurs lose and their top six rivals win, they have a significant reason to win their own penultimate match.

That game is against Manchester City. Suddenly Arsenal supporters have the wry smile back on their faces knowing their rivals have the incentive to beat their own title opponents in north London.

So fear not Arsenal supporters, your hope for the title and dislike for your bitter rivals can co-exist this weekend. Tottenham dropping points and a couple of favourites picking up expected victories suddenly creates quite the scenario ahead of the final week of the season.

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