How Arsenal’s next five Premier League games compare to Liverpool’s

Arsenal suffered back-to-back cup setbacks with a wasteful finish and were once again sloppy in front of goal during Wednesday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

As Declan Rice pointed out: “I think we were probably unlucky not to score 10 tonight.”

The Gunners managed to make it two after Son Heung-min’s first goal to secure another Premier League title victory over Spurs at the Emirates Stadium. For one, Arsenal’s triumph came after a rare Liverpool setback, ensuring Mikel Arteta’s side are just four points behind the division leaders.

Here’s what’s in store for both clubs over what could be a season-defining few weeks.

Emirates will fear when Aston Villa travel to north London on Saturday night after destroying Arsenal’s title hopes with A 2-0 win last April. Unai Emery completed the double over Arteta last season, but the Gunners still got some revenge with a 2-0 win at Villa Park to kick off 2024/25.

Another West Midlands opponent follows the visit of Villa, but Arsenal will have to travel to the Black Country to round off their January Premier League schedule. Wolves they have developed into quite the enterprising unit under new manager Vitor Pereira and their desperation for points means the game will be far from easy for the title hopefuls.

February meeting with perennial champions Manchester City would have been billed as a potential title race maker in pre-season, but the Cityzens’ problems mean they are barely in title contention. Even when you think they’re back, Pep Guardiola’s team is going too squander a 2-0 lead at Brentford.

Reports suggest Arsenal will use their week off next weekend (following their FA Cup third-round exit) to return to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. The Gunners’ trip to the Middle East last January inspired a remarkable revival during the second half of 2023/24, and fans will be desperate for the camp to have a similar effect this time around.

They should be rejuvenated and healthier on the injury front when they meet Leicester February 12 before visiting a West Ham a team encouraged by the arrival of Graham Potter next week.

Liverpool have dropped points in back-to-back matches in the Premier League, but their performance in the second half at Nottingham Forest suggested few signs of a major decline. They would have run away from the City Ground with three points had it not been for a monstrous display from Matz Sels.

However, Sloto’s side will be put to the test in tougher environments over the next few weeks. A visit to Liverpool Brentfordone of the domestic teams this season with the most points and the best performance in the division, the weekend before the meeting with Bournemouth at Vitality on February 1st.

The Cherries have not been beaten on the south coast since November 23rd.

Ipswich visit Anfield in between those two embarrassing encounters, with Liverpool beating Kieran McKenna’s side 2-0 on the opening weekend of the season.

Everton fans will enjoy a visit from the title favorites in midweek next month after the opening match at Goodison Park was postponed due to Storm Darragh. The Toffees won the corresponding fixture last season and Liverpool have their work cut out for them if they are to triumph in the last Merseyside derby to be held at Everton’s historic ground.

Liverpool finish their upcoming Premier League run at home to a relegation-threatened team Wolves.

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