Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are just ten games away from a truly remarkable title victory.
Despite the club’s disappointing end to 2021/22, excitement was rife among Gooners ahead of the new season. Edu had worked his magic in the transfer market and Arteta’s side dazzled on the pitch in pre-season. However, very few projected them to be in their current position ahead of the final stretch of the campaign.
A top-four finish was the goal. A title triumph was meant to arrive further down the line.
Nevertheless, Arsenal’s brilliance this term means they currently hold an eight-point lead over closest rivals Man City in the title race. The current back-to-back holders have played a game fewer and have finally started to find their irresistible groove, but chasing down the Gunners will be no easy feat.
Here’s how the two sides’ Premier League schedules compare for the final quarter of the 2022/23 campaign.
The Gunners’ schedule is tough down the stretch. They won four and lost five of the equivalent fixtures they’ve got remaining this season in 2021/22 (excluding Forest away).
Their decisive fixtures include Liverpool, Newcastle, and, of course, City in April which are all away from home. Should they pick up, say, six points from those games, they’ll be well placed to win their first title since 2003/04.
However, their supposed ‘easy’ fixtures on their calendar are against sides fighting for their lives at the foot of the table. The league leaders take on Leeds and Southampton in April, with both of these sides desperate to claim points to aid their survival bid.
The City Ground is not an easy place to go and win, as City recently found out, while Brighton have proven under both Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi their competence against the Premier League’s best. While Arsenal will be expected to win the majority of their remaining games, these fixtures are far from simple and the added pressure will only make these encounters trickier.
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Man City have much more than a Premier League title to think about down the stretch, which should work in Arsenal’s favour. The Citizens are taking on Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and face Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals all in April.
However, the Citizens have been here before and they certainly boast the squad depth to compete on multiple fronts. Pep Guardiola won’t be too concerned by the condensed schedule.
In terms of their remaining Premier League fixtures, City host most of their ‘tougher’ games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. Although, Brighton away will be tricky, as will a trip to Goodison Park in May. Brentford’s home form will scare Guardiola should City need points to win the title on the final day.
Nevertheless, there’s no doubt City’s schedule to close out the campaign is kinder compared to Arsenal’s. However, the Gunners’ lighter workload could come up trumps when it’s all said and done.
Credit: 90min.com
