Arsenal’s hopes of a top four finish have effectively been ended by a 2-0 loss against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Even though this result primarily means that Spurs will be finishing ahead of Arsenal for the first time in more than two decades, it is more important in the context of qualifying for the Champions League next season. Arsenal have reached the group stages of this competition without fail in the last two decades. Yet, they have now fallen so far behind the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool such that it would take an astronomical collapse from either one of these teams to feature Arsenal back in the top four.

It was an extremely mediocre performance at the White Hart Lane, and goalkeeper Petr Cech says that the club have only themselves to blame. He also believes that Arsenal may have given themselves too much to do in the remaining five matches of the season.

Liverpool wobbled heavily in the months of January and February, but they seem to have found enough confidence and form to see them through the last few matches. Manchester City are also in a similar position, while Manchester United seem to have admitted defeat in the race for the top four.

“Every game we try to give ourselves a chance. We shot ourselves in the foot against Tottenham and we are aware we need to win all the remaining games to be in the race. We had a big game against [Manchester] United (a 2-0 win) and then here, where historically we haven’t done that well in the league. It was tough in the first half but then we found the opening and deserved to win,” said Cech, who had to make some key saves in order to keep out Spurs. However, the former Chelsea goalkeeper failed to prevent a 2-0 defeat.