As Liverpool players and fans watch on with bated breath, Arsenal can prolong the Premier League title 'fight' for a little while longer by beating Crystal Palace in Wednesday's London derby at the Emirates.
The Gunners kept the Reds waiting by hitting Ipswich Town for four over the Easter weekend, while the Eagles and Bournemouth shook hands on a 0-0 draw following yet another dose of refereeing controversy.
Match preview
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Nursing no Champions League hangover from their marvellous feats in Madrid, Arsenal ensured that Liverpool would not be breaking out into a title party at Leicester City later in the day, dominating and eventually dismantling Championship-bound Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Leandro Trossard's double, Gabriel Martinelli's 50th goal for the Gunners and a deflected Ethan Nwaneri effort all contributed to a near-perfect afternoon for Arsenal, whose cause was aided by Leif Davis's straight red card for a horrendous challenge on Bukayo Saka from behind.
Saka being bizarrely booed by home fans and then being forced to call it a day before the hour mark were two minor blots on the notebook for Mikel Arteta, but it was otherwise simply a case of job well done for Arsenal, even if they have surely just delayed what has been inevitable for months.
Still 13 points below Liverpool in the top-flight standings, Arsenal will officially hand the title to Arne Slot's side if they lose on Wednesday, not that Gooners should be losing sleep over what has been a foregone conclusion for some time; it is Champions League or bust in terms of silverware.
Before welcoming Paris Saint-Germain to North London for next week's blockbuster semi-final first leg, the Gunners endeavour to extend their unbeaten run in all tournaments to 12 matches, against opponents who may feel justifiably aggrieved at a sense of injustice at the weekend.
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Selhurst Park has become red card central in the month of April, as after a chaotic win over Brighton & Hove Albion saw no fewer than three players dismissed, another trio could have easily taken the walk of shame during Palace's battle with Bournemouth.
In the end, only Eagles defender Chris Richards was sent off by Sam Barrott for two bookable offences, as Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams both escaped potential second yellows, much to the fury of the home crowd as their 10 men dug deep for a point.
There may not have been a lot for Oliver Glasner to like about the referee's performance, but there was a lot for the Palace boss to like about his side's dogged display after two atrocious away days, having shipped 10 goals across a pair of battles with Manchester City and Newcastle United.
The visitors can now canter towards the finish line given that they are safely marooned in mid-table, allowing them to prioritise this weekend's fascinating FA Cup semi-final with Aston Villa, but they have developed an affinity for derby day in recent times, already winning three all-London matches this year.
Never before have Palace prevailed in four London derbies in a single Premier League season, but having already been beaten twice by Arsenal in this season's EFL Cup and Premier League - both within a few days of each other - that slice of club history may have to wait.
Team News
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Saka understandably stayed down for a few minutes after being on the receiving end of Davis's red card-worthy challenge on Sunday, and even though Arteta delivered a positive update at full time, the Spaniard should no doubt consider bringing Nwaneri back into the fray.
Fellow Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly can also anticipate a recall to the XI, in addition to Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber, as Arteta reverts to a side which will more closely resemble the lineup that will face PSG.
Jorginho (chest), Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are still out, as is Riccardo Calafiori, but the latter's knee problem might be fully healed in time for next week's first leg.
As for Palace, Richards's dismissal at the weekend means that the American will serve his one-game suspension at the Emirates, where Glasner is bereft of out-and-out centre-back options to replace him.
The experienced Nathaniel Clyne could deputise in the back three, as while Jefferson Lerma is a viable option, he may start in midfield in place of Adam Wharton, whom Glasner is still managing carefully following his fitness concerns.
Chadi Riad (knee) and Cheick Doucoure (knee) are both out for the season, but Glasner has no new injuries to take into account from the weekend's game.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Clyne, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta
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We say: Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace
A third game in the space of seven days may lead to some jellied Arsenal legs, but Arteta can make a handful of changes here and there, and his side are arguably in their best moment of the season so far.
Palace and their three-man backline should still prove stiffer opposition than Ipswich, but their attack failed to fire even with 11 men on the pitch against Bournemouth, and thoughts of an imminent FA Cup semi-final may be playing on their minds too.
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Ben Knapton
