Damaging Defeat Puts the Pressure Back on Arsenal in Champions League Race

Arsenal suffered a hugely damaging defeat away to relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers. The 2-1 loss puts the Gunners under pressure again in the hunt to secure a place in next season's  Champions League.

Arsenal's misery was increased by Chelsea's dramatic 4-2 win at Aston Villa. The result puts the Blues five points behind Arsene Wenger's team with seven games to play.

These two results only add significance to Arsenal's home clash with Chelsea on April 21. The pressure could increase further after tomorrow's fixtures.

Newcastle United entertain Liverpool, and NUFC can also close the gap on Arsenal to five points. More concerning is that North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur can move back level with the Gunners, in the fight for third place and automatic Champions League qualification.

The Spurs welcome Swansea City to White Hart Lane. If they can arrest their recent slump, the Spurs will threaten Arsenal's hold on third and maybe even their top four status as a whole.

Wenger's team can rely on a superior goal difference, but a big win from the Spurs tomorrow could soon change that.

Arsenal could potentially pay a heavy price for today's slip up. The team lacked its usual fluidity and played laboured, lacking the necessary free-flowing passing and quick pace.

The back four struggled to contain the mercurial Adel Taarabt. The temperamental winger unfortunately chose this game to showcase his undoubted talent and punished Arsenal's indecision in defense.

The games get no easier for Arsenal as they entertain wounded title chasers Manchester City next weekend. That is followed by two fixtures against relegation threatened teams: an away game against Wolverhampton Wanderers and a home clash to a suddenly resurgent Wigan Athletic.

Then comes that crunch encounter with Chelsea, followed by the now annual struggle at the Britannia Stadium against Wenger's antithesis, Stoke City.

Arsenal have little room for further error if they are going to secure their Champions League place for next season. Third would be ideal, but fourth spot is not completely secure just yet.