With Manchester City seemingly running away with the 2021/22 English Premier League title while Liverpool and Chelsea appear content to battle it out for the runners up slot this season may appear less than competitive. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Battle rages at the wrong end of the table as sides aim to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Ambitious clubs currently stuck in the no man's land of midtable have hopes of forcing their way into the European places, gaining entry to the Europa League or Europa Conference League.

The race that currently occupies the thinking of all Arsenal fans is the top-four. Everyone connected to the Gunners is desperate to see Mikel Arteta's team smash their way into fourth place, securing a welcome and long overdue return to Champions League football next season. It has been too long since the club has rubbed shoulders with the continent's elite. A night of Champions League football at the Emirates Stadium is something many younger Arsenal fans have never witnessed, and it's about time that all changed.

Will Arsenal make it into the top four and be included in the Champions League matches starting in September? That question remains unanswered, but the best online betting sites have had their say. How do the bookies rate Arsenal's chances of making it to the top four? How have the team been performing so far this season, and which upcoming fixtures will decide where the team finishes? Let's take a closer look at those questions.

Latest betting odds

Will Arsenal finish in the top four of the Premier League? You can bet on that outcome at the top betting websites and mobile apps today. This allows you to target a double celebration come spring. There will be one cheer for the Gunners breaking back into Europe's elite and proving the board were right to stick with Arteta. Then there will be a second cause for celebration when the profits from your top-four finish bet are added to your betting account.

The traders remain on the fence, making Arsenal sixth in the betting. That suggests it could be a tight squeeze come the end of the season. There's still plenty of football to be played, but it looks like we can safely assume Man City, Liverpool, and Chelsea will make up the top three. That leaves Arsenal in a shootout with Man Utd, West Ham, Tottenham, and Wolves for that fourth place. At present, just four points separate Man Utd in fourth from Wolves in eighth. This will go right down to the wire.

Season form

Arsenal's less than inspiring start to the season was well documented, and, similar to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford, the knives were out for the inexperienced Arteta early. Unlike at the Theatre of Dreams, the board at the Emirates chose to keep the faith and stick by their manager, recognising his long-term plan for the club. This was similar to the time and patience showed to Arsene Wenger near the end of his stay at the club.

After 21 games played, Arsenal sits sixth in the league but have two games in hand over West Ham in fifth and a game spare over Man Utd in fourth. The Gunners have won 11, drawn three and lost seven, scoring 33 goals and conceding 25. Looking at those numbers, Arsenal has a better defence than both Man Utd and West Ham at the last count. They have also picked up more points in the last five games than second-placed Liverpool.

Upcoming fixtures

Some upcoming Arsenal fixtures to look forward to that could have a huge say on the outcome of this season with a trip to Wolves tonight while hosting the Bruno Lage’s side at the Emirates for starters. Other notable fixtures the Gunners hosting Man Utd in April and the visit to West Ham United in their final match of April.

If Arteta's boys are able to hold their form between now and spring, picking up points and beating the teams around them in the table, we could be all set for a grandstand finish to the season. The teams involved know the pressure is on and understand any mistakes made at this stage could end up costing them dear.