Arsenal's Title Race Heats Up: Can They Capitalize on Easier Fixture List Than Man City After Derby Victory?
Mikel Arteta was eager for his Arsenal squad to demonstrate their quality in Sunday's north London clash, following consecutive Premier League matches where they failed to secure maximum points.
The journey to Seven Sisters Road came after a frustrating 2–2 stalemate against relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday evening, while Manchester City's 2–1 triumph over Newcastle United reduced Arsenal's lead at the top to merely two points heading into derby day.
The Gunners fulfilled Arteta's expectations at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
By replicating their 4–1 triumph from November, Arsenal have reestablished their more comfortable cushion over the Citizens, who will eventually get the opportunity to close the gap when their postponed fixture against Crystal Palace is rescheduled.
These two sides will be exchanging punches right through to the end of May, and here's how their forthcoming fixtures stack up.
Arsenal, Man City's Next Five Premier League Games
Arsenal, Man City's Next Five Premier League Games
Arsenal (61 points) | Man City (55 points) |
|---|---|
Chelsea (H) – March 1 | Leeds (A) – Feb. 28 |
Brighton (A) – March 4 | Nott'm Forest (H) – March 4 |
Everton (H) – March 15 | West Ham (A) - March 14 |
Bournemouth (H) – April 11 | Chelsea (A) – April 11 |
Man City (A) – April 18 | Arsenal (H) – April 18 |
The championship contenders have two crucial encounters ahead, with the teams first clashing in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22 before Manchester City welcome the Premier League pacesetters on April 18.
Although past evidence indicates that direct battles between the league's leading pair rarely determine the championship outcome, that match feels enormously important in influencing the power balance at the top.
Arsenal will aim to maintain their lead when they travel to the Etihad Stadium, but their coming fixtures present challenges. Champions League contenders Chelsea will pose difficulties, despite dropping points in consecutive matches, while Brighton & Hove Albion broke their poor run with a win at Brentford on Saturday.
Viktor Gyökeres' North London Derby double takes his tally for the season to 15 and counting. pic.twitter.com/6FfCIfhlZ9
Everton might mount a European challenge and have performed significantly better on the road this campaign, making the Toffees' visit to north London a potential stumbling block for the Gunners.
Arsenal then enjoy nearly a month away from league action, with Bournemouth coming to the Emirates Stadium on April 11.
Man City's momentum is expected to continue, particularly with fixtures against three teams currently in the bottom five. A visit to Leeds United might prove challenging, though, while both Nottingham Forest and West Ham United are battling relegation.
Prior to facing Arsenal for the second time in rapid succession, City travel to Chelsea on April 11.