Despite being one of English football’s oldest and most successful clubs, it has been a barren recent spell for Arsenal.

Having not competed in the Champions League since 2017, the Emirates has been bereft of top level European football and despite a few runs in the Europa League, the Gunners have dropped off the pace both domestically and on the continent.

Not since the end of the Arsene Wenger reign have Arsenal been mixing it with the big boys in the Champions League but under Mikel Arteta this term, the sense of optimism in North London appears to be growing.

Finishing in the top 4 has been the ultimate aim for the Gunners since the start of the campaign and with the season now heading into its final third, the reds actually have their top 4 status in their own hands.

Three games in hand on the likes of West Ham and Manchester United above them could prove to be useful in the final hunt for Champions League football and with the likes of North London rivals Tottenham faltering too, Arsenal look to be one of the front runners for a Champions League finish this term.

With plenty of pundits and those in the know working in the game getting behind the work Arteta is doing at the Emirates and with some excellent recent results in the tank, Arsenal are starting to find form at potentially the right time.

Defending champions Manchester City and Liverpool in hot pursuit have all but secured their top 4 status already and whilst Chelsea haven’t enjoyed the season many would have expected, they too look well placed to finish in the top 4.

With those three spots all but secured, there is seemingly only one place to play for and Arsenal are currently the front runners for the final Champions League birth.

As mentioned, Mikel Arteta has finally got Arsenal playing the type of football the Gunners fans want to see and the results are slowly starting to turn the Spaniard’s way too.

They have the advantage of not having to play European football this season, which could ultimately be very useful, and their young squad is purring.

At 2.40, they are on the periphery of a top 4 finish this season and it would be a seriously big statement if Champions League football returned to the Emirates Stadium.

Ralf Rangnick has endured a tough start to life at Manchester United, but they have plenty of world class players in their squad that could come good at any moment.

Things aren’t going too well at Old Trafford currently but will have a good go at finishing in the top quadrant of the league and are currently 2.80 to do so, the betting bonuses aggregator Offers.Bet reports.

Tottenham have shown more promise under Antonio Conte, but inconsistency continues to plague their season but at 5.00, Spurs cannot be discarded in the race for a top 4 finish this season.

The proverbial jokers in the pack are West Ham and Wolves, who have both put superb seasons thus far.

Coming in at 8.50 and 17.00 respectively, both sides do look to have their work cut out somewhat, but they are both full of confidence and should well be in the top 4 mix come May 2022.