Jubilee Win No. 500

“We had the first chance to improve our position in the table and I’m glad we managed to do so. As I’ve said before, the only way of placing is high as possible is to attempt to win all remaining games. The top end of the table is pretty even just now, the teams competing for Champions League qualification are pretty close to each other. That’s why we had no other choice than attain three points,” stated Petr.

“West Bromwich were betting on defence, breakaways and free kicks, as expected. They hit the crossbar as a result of one of them but Alexis’ goal came in the nick of time. He added another one by half-time and we could even have improved the result; there were certainly enough opportunities for it. But as I said, it’s the win that counts,” Petr explained.

He was also happy about his 175th Premier League clean sheet. “After all, I had come back from a five-week break and so some time had passed since the last one. Last time I failed to keep a clean slate, this time round was a lot better. What’s more important, though, is that we’re back on track as a team.”

The Gunners achieved their 500th win in the Premier League as it has stood since 1992/93. They are only the second ones to do so after Manchester United. “It just goes to show we belong to teams which have remained successful for an extended period of time. While some clubs may often have the occasional unfortunate season, Arsenal has stayed on top form since the very introduction of the Premier League,” said Petr.

Leicester continue to lead the table, followed by Tottenham who are five points ahead of the Gunners. The latter are losing ten points on the leader. Four rounds are left till the end of the season. “They’ve obtained the greatest amount of points, so you can’t really doubt their placement. They were surely helped by the fact that they haven’t participated in any other tournament and are therefore free to focus on the League. They had more opportunities for rest than teams which partook in the Cups, and they have also managed to avoid injuries,” Petr admitted.

What does Petr have to say as to Leicester’s chances for title? “Four games don’t seem like much, especially considering the amount of points they’re leading by. They’re on quite the roll, but the pressure will become all the greater toward the finish now. That last hurdle tends to be the most difficult one to overcome."