Arsenal fixtures: Crucial games in title run-in after Leicester win
Arsenal took another huge step in their pursuit of the Premier League title on Saturday afternoon by beating Leicester 1-0 at the King Power Stadium.
Gabriel Martinelli’s clinical finish proved to be the decider, taking Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear of Manchester City prior to their trip to Bournemouth.
It’s the Gunners who continue to control the title race thanks to their latest victory, though a number of important and potentially decisive games remain to be played before the 2022/23 season is out. Here are some of the biggest league matches they have left.
Arsenal’s next Premier League game is against Everton on the first day of March. It’s an evening kick off and one of two rearranged matches that Wednesday alongside Liverpool vs Wolves.
This meeting comes only weeks after the Gunners‘ trip to Goodison Park, where they were handed a 1-0 defeat courtesy of James Tarkowski’s strike in Sean Dyche’s first game as Toffees manager.
These two sides shared an autumnal spectacle back in October as Arsenal came out on top as 3-2 winners. Liverpool have endured a grim season ever since and face a tough challenge to qualify for the Champions League, but they have a very strong record against Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield.
While the Gunners will be favourites for victory on Merseyside when they meet again in April, they haven’t done so since 2012 when Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla scored in a 2-0 victory for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Arsenal missed the opportunity for a statement victory against Manchester City in mid February as the visitors won 3-1, but the Gunners‘ consistency has helped them open up a lead over the reigning Premier League champions.
City have dropped points in surprising games but enjoy a dominant record over Arsenal in the Premier League in recent years, having not lost to the Gunners since 2015.
Newcastle have hit a slump in form in recent weeks, dropping out of the top four while losing key players to suspension. This fixture will offer Arsenal the chance to exorcise the demons of their previous visit to St James‘ Park.
Arteta’s side went to Tyne and Wear needing victory in pursuit of Champions League qualification last season but were beaten 2-0 by a vibrant Magpies outfit. This year, it could be the Premier League title at stake.
Arsenal finish the season with a home fixture against Wolves, where they’ll hope to have already secured their first Premier League title since 2003/04 or still have their destiny in their own hands.
Martin Odegaard was the star of the show when the two sides met earlier in the season, scoring twice in a comfortable 2-0 away win for the Gunners.