Arsenal's top-4 hopes all but dead, Chelsea secure their spot

After asking if anybody actually wanted to finish in the top four over the past few weeks, we got a definitive answer on Sunday.

Shortly after Manchester United's hopes of Champions League football fell by the wayside, Arsenal all but confirmed that they too wouldn't earn a place in Europe's premier club competition. At least not via the traditional route.

A dispiriting 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates means the Gunners, currently fifth in the table, can only reach 70 points on the campaign with one match remaining. Barring a massive eight-goal swing on the final day of the season next weekend, Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham will secure the last remaining Champions League berth.

Spurs could take all the math out of the equation by simply getting a point against Everton, too.

By virtue of Arsenal's inability to beat Brighton, Chelsea - who won earlier in the day - were subsequently assured of a top-four place.

Unai Emery's men have now taken a measly four points from the last 18 available in the Premier League, stumbling toward the finish line despite their nearest challengers leaving the door wide open for them.

An ill-timed, miserable run of form has seen Arsenal lose against Everton, Crystal Palace, Wolves, and Leicester City in recent weeks, though Sunday's draw with Brighton was arguably the most discouraging result of them all. The Seagulls, sitting 17th in the table, had already secured top-flight survival heading into the match, and thus had nothing of substance to play for.

And still, the home side couldn't breach the Brighton backline from open play; their lone goal, courtesy of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, came from the penalty spot. So too did Glenn Murray's equalizer in the 61st minute.

Arsenal's hope of reaching next season's Champions League now rests solely on the Europa League.

With one foot in the final after a 3-1 victory over Valencia in the first leg of their semifinal tie, Emery and Co. need to win the tournament to secure a place in the marquee competition next year.