Arsenal emphatically halted a three-game losing streak in all competitions last weekend, thrashing cross-London rivals Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium to regain foothold in the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side spent another Christmas at the top of the pile before an underwhelming three-game winless league run (D1, L2) demoted them to fourth.
Still only five points adrift of pacesetters Liverpool, the Gunners remain firmly embroiled in a ruthless battle for Premier League supremacy, but there’s no margin for error anymore. The betting odds on GG Bet Sportsbook and other bookmakers show Arsenal as third-favourites behind Manchester City and Liverpool, but with both clubs also involved in Europe, Arsenal have an outside shot at pushing back up the table again.
Having bowed out of both cup competitions, the North London giants have bought additional time to rest as they head to Nottingham Forest for their last January fixture next Tuesday.
Anything other than victory at the City Ground would throw Arsenal’s lofty league ambitions into disarray, though Declan Rice remains confident of his team’s chances of dethroning Manchester City.
In a recent interview with Arsenal.com, the highly-rated midfielder outlined his high aspirations, insisting the Gunners have the capacity to end City’s three-year tenure at the summit.
February could be crucial in shaping the title frame in England’s top flight, with four Premier League assignments awaiting Arteta’s charges next month.
Liverpool (H) – Sunday, February 4
What a way to start the month! Revenge for a 2-0 FA Cup defeat at the start of 2024 will be at the forefront of Arteta’s mind when the two sides meet again at the Emirates Stadium.
Knowing a win against Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying side could give fresh impetus to Arsenal’s title charge, the Spaniard will be out to beat his German counterpart for only the third time in nine Premier League duels.
Arsenal bested the Reds in this corresponding fixture last term, running out 3-2 victors, but they’ve not won back-to-back home league clashes against the Merseyside outfit since 2006.
West Ham United (A) – Sunday, February 11
Another revenge-poised contest comes in the follow-up of Liverpool’s visit to the capital as the Gunners travel across London to meet West Ham, around a month after going down 2-0 at home.
David Moyes’ troops spoiled Arsenal’s near-flawless home record in the Premier League this season (W8, D2) in late December with their first top-flight win in this fixture since 2019.
However, Moyes might have found a recipe for Arteta’s tactics, as the Hammers crashed Arsenal out of the League Cup last-16 in November with a comprehensive 3-1 win at the London Stadium.
Burnley (A) – Saturday, February 17
Given the club stature of other Arsenal opponents in February, a trip to Turf Moor to take on hot relegation candidates Burnley carries a significant weight.
They can’t afford to drop points in Lancashire, although playing sides fighting for their lives can often be tricky, making this match-up a potential banana skin for the Gunners.
On top of that, ex-Man City captain Vincent Kompany will have an added motive to throw a spanner in the works, knowing it would give his former team a substantial title boost.
Porto (A) – Wednesday, February 21 – Champions League
The Champions League returns to action in mid-February with a set of last-16 ties, with Arsenal heading to Estadio do Dragao to tackle Porto in the first leg of their tasty-looking showdown.
Since it’s their first appearance at Europe’s top table since 2016/16, the Gunners remain eager to impress following an almost-perfect group-stage campaign.
But such a distraction could slow their quest for domestic glory down.
Newcastle United (H) – Saturday February 24
Arsenal’s European commitments will warrant a quick turnaround as they entertain injury-hit Newcastle United only three days after their trip to Portugal.
It’s still uncertain whether Eddie Howe will be in the dugout by the time the Magpies take a trip to North London, but they could be a thorn in the Gunners’ side anyway.
Arsenal had to swallow a bitter pill in the reverse fixture as Anthony Gordon’s controversial second-half winner inspired the Tyne Army to a narrow 1-0 win in November.
Keen to return the favour, Arteta’s team can draw confidence from a stellar run of ten wins from their last 11 home games against Newcastle in the Premier League.
