Sent to me from a mate in Switzerland this morning... not sure where he got it from (he defo did not write it himself!)
It's a strange thing, caring about who's the fourth or fifth-best team in England. This is not glory, in the accepted sense of the word. It basically boils down to two things: pride for those taking part and bean-counting. Arsenal and Spurs fans care about qualifying for the Champions League because that makes them part of the continent's elite, while the men upstairs care because they can spend the summer swimming through piles and piles of cash, Scrooge McDuck style.
However, on a final weekend when basically bugger all else matters for anyone else in the Premier League, the Champions League spot is the last thing we can grasp for any excitement. Aside from professional gratification, the final chance to impress ahead of the transfer window and prize money increments, the only real thing of note from this weekend is David Moyes' final opportunity to win a big away game with Everton. They travel to Chelsea, so a victory there would at least allow the nasty stat of him never getting three points at Old Trafford, the Emirates/Highbury, Anfield or Stamford Bridge to disappear before he leaves for Manchester United.
So while fourth place might feel like a slight irrelevance for the rest of us, it matters for Arsenal and Tottenham. Andre Villas-Boas certainly seems to think it's a massive deal - after beating Stoke last weekend, he said: "It keeps us in the frame and gives us the possibility of making the Champions League so the important thing is the dream is still alive for us."
While 'dream' might be a tad strong, it's clearly important for Villas-Boas and Spurs, but is it bigger for them than for Arsenal?
Making the top four would undoubtedly be a huge deal for Villas-Boas in his first year at Spurs. In theory, this should have been a transitional, building year - a new manager, the two most creative players from last season sold, the notable absentee from last season's top four (sit down, Liverpool fans - I mean Chelsea) strengthening significantly - none of this suggested that Spurs were shoo-ins for the elite. In any case, they already have the same number of points as they did last season, and if they win on Sunday but still miss out, they will have the highest points total of any fifth-placed side since the final 42-game season in 1995. Making the Champions League was presumably highly desirable, but not a requirement.
For Arsenal on the other hand, this is really all they have. Arsene Wenger has been mocked for his assertion that finishing fourth was "the first trophy", and rightly so, but this is essentially what Arsenal build their business plan around. Get the money from Europe's top competition, keep paying off that stadium debt while remaining competitive, after a fashion, repeat to fade. This is the minimum expected, and most Gooners you care to ask are frustrated that this is all they can really manage at the moment. Just imagine what they'll be like if they blow it.
This will be exacerbated if they fail on Sunday, because it's in their hands. And while winning a game against a terrible Saudi Sportswashing Machine side with nothing to play for can't be seriously considered a tough task, Alan Pardew's comment last weekend about 'not caring' if Saudi Sportswashing Machine lost 4-0 might actually work against Arsenal. Given the criticism Pardew has received over the past few days, he will presumably be extra determined to ensure they don't roll over.
As an aside, it must also be noted that, even if they do win and secure that fourth place, Arsenal's season might not be over. As you'll probably know by now, if they win 2-1 and Chelsea draw 0-0 with Everton, then they will face a play-off for third and automatic qualification for the Champions League. When this game will happen, with assorted post-season tours (because apparently that is A Thing now) and whatnot to consider, is less clear.
All of this is not to say it isn't important for Spurs as well. It will of course be quite the feather in Villas-Boas's handsome cap and would be a tangible justification for his appointment, while attracting the players they need to push them on will quite obviously be much easier if they're playing on Tuesday or Wednesday night, rather than Thursday.
And then there's the question of keeping the talent they already have - but does that really hinge on the success or failure of Sunday? Obviously Gareth Bale would prefer the Champions League to the Europa, but would qualifying for the top competition really make that much difference? Because of the price he will command, if/when he leaves Bale will only go to one of the very top clubs, clubs that challenge for league titles every season. Spurs are improving and indeed highly promising, but they won't reach that level for a little while yet, so will it really matter if Spurs are in the Champions League?
Bale himself isn't making any significant noises about leaving - he's 23 so has plenty of time, he seems fairly settled where he is and has just had a child. Indeed, there are even rumours that he might sign a new contract, which of course doesn't guarantee he'll stay in the long term, but does indicate he won't agitate for a move this summer. The only way he would leave now is if Spurs receive an insane offer of £60million-plus - an offer that would be almost impossible to turn down, Champions League or not.
The question of to whom this matters more can be boiled down to a single point: would the season of either team be regarded as a failure if they finish fifth? For Spurs, the answer is arguable, but for Arsenal the answer is unquestionably yes.
