EPL 2021-22: Did Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur ruin their top-4 chances? Thomas Tuchel reckons

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur continue to fight for the top four in the EPL 2021-22. However, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel feels that the sides might have ruined their chances recently.

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The race for the top four in the 2021-22 English Premier League (EPL) is still open. Top clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur continue to remain in the race. However, their recent defeats have given them a setback in the pursuit, while Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel feels that the club might have ruined their chances.

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Chelsea is currently placed third in the EPL points table for the season, 14 points behind leader Liverpool and 12 behind second-placed defending champion Manchester City. Tottenham is set fourth, five points behind Chelsea, while Arsenal is ranked fifth, three behind Spurs. Notably, The Blues have played lesser matches.

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While Tottenham lost its last EPL game at home to tenth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion, Arsenal suffered a defeat to 12th-placed Southampton. The Gunners meet Chelsea on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Tuchel feels that the clubs should have utilised their opportunities better, given that they had nothing else to focus on.

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"They have been given a huge advantage. I was not happy when Tottenham was out of the Conference League. Because I thought, 'Wow, I know what Antonio Conte can do with teams when they are focused, and he can train them physically'. I thought this would be a huge uplift for them in the domestic competition, and the same for Arsenal when they went out of the cup. I thought it would be a huge boost because they have a very young and talented team," said Tuchel during the pre-match press conference.

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On Wednesday, a win for Chelsea would mean that it would go 11 points adrift of Arsenal and eight behind Tottenham. However, a defeat for The Blues could mean they will have to fight for the fourth spot. While sixth-placed Manchester United is another team in the race, given its poor form this season, it is unlikely to make it.