The equation for Arsenal is simple; win at Blackpool this weekend to keep their Premier League title hopes alive or fail to win and see their hopes of silverware this season slip away.
The London side sit seven points behind Manchester United at the top and though they have played one game less than their rivals, they know that it will probably take something close to eight wins from their remaining games to stand a chance.
Last weekend's home draw to Blackburn was a desperate disappointment for manager Arsene Wenger, but his players have not given up hope that they could yet overhaul United.
"Definitely we still believe," striker Robin van Persie said. "We still believe we are really good footballers, we have eight games to play and it is up to us.
"On Sunday we have Blackpool away and this is a chance for us to get three points. We cannot give up, we have to go on.
"We had the chances on Saturday, but we were a bit unlucky. It was one of those days when no matter what we did it wouldn't go in. Of course everyone is down because we should have won, but everyone stays positive, everyone speaks to each other and says come on, we have eight games to play and try to win and we will do that."
Wenger will be relieved to have his captain Cesc Fabregas available to start for only the second time in eight matches, and Van Persie admitted that the absence of some of the big names has hurt their cause.
"We have been unlucky with injuries in certain games when Cesc has not been involved," the Dutchman said. "He is our engine, he is the one with the brains, who passes the ball in behind. He makes the game for us and when he is not there we all feel that.
"A few of these injuries have happened to us over the past few years at this time and it is hard to cope with. You need your best players. But we will work hard again now and everybody will be positive for the Blackpool game. We still believe, we cannot do otherwise."
United, meanwhile, and in particular Wayne Rooney, are full of confidence as they try to extend their lead when they play host to Fulham 24 hours earlier.
Rooney's four goals in two games helped United come from 2-0 down to beat West Ham 4-2 last weekend and see off Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in midweek.
The England striker came in for a lot of abuse from the crowd after his punishment for swearing into a television camera at West Ham but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he responded in the perfect fashion.
"He was top quality (against Chelsea), Ferguson said. "Wayne took a lot of abuse and late tackles but he was excellent. He's in great form."
Third-placed Manchester City have to travel to Liverpool on Monday night, giving Chelsea the chance to go back above them into third if they can beat bottom side Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were aggrieved not to get a penalty in the last minute of their defeat by United and will have to bounce back quickly if they are to get all three points and maintain their own faint title hopes.
Just three points separate the bottom seven clubs and Wolverhampton Wanderers, second from bottom and one point from safety, have a must-win home match against Everton.
Mick McCarthy's side was beaten 4-1 at Newcastle last time out and the manager knows they have to pick up points at home.
"We've just got to put it to one side and get on with preparing for Everton," he said.
"The worry would be if we'd had too many performances like that. It was a one-off, a blip and we gave goals away and if you give goals away, you can't win games."
West Ham, the other side in the bottom three, travel to Bolton Wanderers while Blackburn and Birmingham, in 14th and 15th respectively, clash at Ewood Park.
Sunderland face West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa host Newcastle while Tottenham, fresh from their 4-0 mauling by Real Madrid in the Champions League, welcome Stoke City to White Hart Lane.
The London side sit seven points behind Manchester United at the top and though they have played one game less than their rivals, they know that it will probably take something close to eight wins from their remaining games to stand a chance.
Last weekend's home draw to Blackburn was a desperate disappointment for manager Arsene Wenger, but his players have not given up hope that they could yet overhaul United.
"Definitely we still believe," striker Robin van Persie said. "We still believe we are really good footballers, we have eight games to play and it is up to us.
"On Sunday we have Blackpool away and this is a chance for us to get three points. We cannot give up, we have to go on.
"We had the chances on Saturday, but we were a bit unlucky. It was one of those days when no matter what we did it wouldn't go in. Of course everyone is down because we should have won, but everyone stays positive, everyone speaks to each other and says come on, we have eight games to play and try to win and we will do that."
Wenger will be relieved to have his captain Cesc Fabregas available to start for only the second time in eight matches, and Van Persie admitted that the absence of some of the big names has hurt their cause.
"We have been unlucky with injuries in certain games when Cesc has not been involved," the Dutchman said. "He is our engine, he is the one with the brains, who passes the ball in behind. He makes the game for us and when he is not there we all feel that.
"A few of these injuries have happened to us over the past few years at this time and it is hard to cope with. You need your best players. But we will work hard again now and everybody will be positive for the Blackpool game. We still believe, we cannot do otherwise."
United, meanwhile, and in particular Wayne Rooney, are full of confidence as they try to extend their lead when they play host to Fulham 24 hours earlier.
Rooney's four goals in two games helped United come from 2-0 down to beat West Ham 4-2 last weekend and see off Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in midweek.
The England striker came in for a lot of abuse from the crowd after his punishment for swearing into a television camera at West Ham but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he responded in the perfect fashion.
"He was top quality (against Chelsea), Ferguson said. "Wayne took a lot of abuse and late tackles but he was excellent. He's in great form."
Third-placed Manchester City have to travel to Liverpool on Monday night, giving Chelsea the chance to go back above them into third if they can beat bottom side Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were aggrieved not to get a penalty in the last minute of their defeat by United and will have to bounce back quickly if they are to get all three points and maintain their own faint title hopes.
Just three points separate the bottom seven clubs and Wolverhampton Wanderers, second from bottom and one point from safety, have a must-win home match against Everton.
Mick McCarthy's side was beaten 4-1 at Newcastle last time out and the manager knows they have to pick up points at home.
"We've just got to put it to one side and get on with preparing for Everton," he said.
"The worry would be if we'd had too many performances like that. It was a one-off, a blip and we gave goals away and if you give goals away, you can't win games."
West Ham, the other side in the bottom three, travel to Bolton Wanderers while Blackburn and Birmingham, in 14th and 15th respectively, clash at Ewood Park.
Sunderland face West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa host Newcastle while Tottenham, fresh from their 4-0 mauling by Real Madrid in the Champions League, welcome Stoke City to White Hart Lane.
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