Arsenal's hopes of sealing a top four spot in the Premier League this season were severely dented against Manchester City earlier in the week.
Having been tipped by many to claim one of the Champions League spots up for grabs when the campaign begun - the harsh reality is that they sit ninth in the table - eight points off where they need to be.
The luxury of having a game in hand on four of the teams directly above them in the table has now gone and destiny is not in their own hands.
One saving grace could be the outcome of City's appeal against their Champions League ban. If the decision is not overturned, then whoever finishes fifth will be rewarded with a place at Europe's top table next season.
Automatically that would boost Arsenal's chances of a return to a competition they've not been apart of since 2016/17.
Manchester United are currently in pole position to finish fifth, but Wolves, Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur all have a realistic chance of overtaking the Red Devils and even catching Chelsea in fourth.
With so many teams involved in the top four (or top five) race, many results will have a huge bearing on the Gunners' final league position.
Ahead of facing Brighton and Hove Albion, we have taken a look at how the Gunners' run-in compares to their rivals for a Champions League spot.
Arsenal fixtures
20/06 - Brighton (a)
25/06 - Southampton (a)
01/07 - Norwich (h)
04/07 - Wolves (a)
07/07 - Leicester (h)
12/07 - Tottenham (a)
15/07 - Liverpool (h)
26/07 - Watford (h)
TBC
Aston Villa (a)
Verdict: Arsenal's Achilles heel this season has been their away form. The 3-0 loss at Man City is followed up by back-to-back trips to Brighton and Southampton.
Simply have little margin for error.
Chelsea
21/06 - Aston Villa (a)
25/06 - Man City (h)
01/07 - West Ham (a)
04/07 - Watford (h)
07/07 - Crystal Palace (a)
11/07 - Sheffield United (a)
15/07 - Norwich (h)
18/07 - Liverpool (a)
26/07 - Wolves (h)
Verdict: On paper the Blues' run-in is rather kind. But they've struggled in games they should win and that could give Arsenal hope as fixtures against Watford and Norwich City could be tricky.
Not to mention they could drop points against Man City, Sheffield United, Liverpool and the game against Wolves will be key.
Man United
19/06 - Tottenham (a)
24/06 - Sheff Utd (h)
30/06 - Brighton (a)
04/07 - Bournemouth (h)
09/07 - Aston Villa (a)
13/07 - Southampton (h)
TBC
Crystal Palace (a)
West Ham (h)
Leicester City (a)
Verdict: If Man United pick up from where they left off before the Premier League season was suspended, it's hard to look past them for a top four finish.
Arsenal will need United to drop points in first two games and hope their inconsistent form returns thereafter.
Wolves
20/06 - West Ham (a)
24/06 - Bournemouth (h)
27/06 - Aston Villa (a)
04/07 - Arsenal (h)
08/07 - Sheffield United (a)
12/07 - Everton (h)
TBC
Burnley (a)
Crystal Palace (h)
Chelsea (a)
Verdict: Nuno Espirito Santo's side can't be taken lightly and have as good of a chance as everyone else to claim Champions League football for next season.
Sheffield United
21/06 - Newcastle (a)
24/06 - Man Utd (a)
02/07 - Tottenham (h)
05/07 - Burnley (a)
08/07 - Wolves (h)
11/07 - Chelsea (h)
15/07 - Leicester City (a)
18/07 - Everton (h)
26/07 - Southampton (a)
Verdict: Just like Arsenal, three straight away games is a brutal return to action for the Blades. They've been the surprise package this season, so can't be ruled out.
However, games against their rivals for a Champions League spot could be a bridge too far for Chris Wilder's side.
Tottenham
19/06 - Man Utd (h)
23/06 - West Ham (h)
02/07 - Sheffield United (a)
06/07 - Everton (h)
09/07 - Bournemouth (a)
12/07 - Arsenal (h)
TBC
Newcastle (a)
Leicester City (h)
Crystal Palace (a)
Verdict: If any club has benefitted from the break it's Spurs. They were in poor form beforehand, had no strikers and were sliding down the table.
But now that Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are fit again their fixture list doesn't seem too daunting. Arsenal will need a favour or two from other teams.
