Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Wigan has opened up a series of very interesting possibilities for the final placings of the season.

As it stands, a victory for Arsenal guarantees them at least fourth place, with an Everton victory over Chelsea giving them third.

However, if Arsenal win and Chelsea are held to a draw, we could be in for an unprecedented event.

Tight

It would have to be a very specific set of results. Right now, Chelsea are two points ahead of Arsenal, with 2 more goals scored and 1 more conceded, giving them +1 goal difference.

Hence, if Arsenal beat Newcastle 2-1 and Chelsea draw 0-0, the two sides would have equal points, goals scored and conceded, and goal difference. Yikes.

In this highly unlikely yet eminently possible case, head-to-head would be ignored, fortunately for Arsenal. Chelsea won both PL games 2-1 this season, but head-to-head has never been favoured in England. So it would go a play-off at a neutral venue, to decide who qualifies automatically for the CL and who goes into the qualifying round.

Odd

I can’t see it being contested too hotly, if it were to happen. Both sides are guaranteed Champions League football, unless the qualifier goes wrong. The game would be some way into the summer, with Chelsea departing on a US tour late in May. So it would feel a little like a pre-season friendly with a small bonus depending on the winner.

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