Arsenal next Five fixtures compared to Man city and Liverpool as Arteta Men close gap to 2 points after humiliating Newcastle yesterday
Arsenal returned to winning ways in style with a comprehensive Premier League victory against Newcastle United. The Gunners were beaten earlier in the week by Porto in Champions League action courtesy of a goal deep into stoppage time with Mikel Arteta’s side failing to register a shot on target.
A lack of presence in attack was surprising given Arsenal had scored 21 goals in five games prior to their trip to Portugal. However, their goal-scoring pedigree returned at Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening with four put past the Magpies.
The opening goal arrived after 19 minutes when a Gabriel Magalhaes header was saved by Loris Karius with the ball ricocheting off Sven Botman and in after Newcastle failed to clear. A second then came just six minutes later with Kai Havertz sweeping home a clever cut-back from Gabriel Martinelli.
Bukayo Saka then added a third just after the hour mark with a brilliant run and finish before Jakub Kiwior scored Arsenal’s nineteenth goal from a set-piece just four minutes later. Second half substitutes Dan Burn and Willock then combined in the final stages for the visitors to score a consolation goal.
Another three points has kept Arsenal firmly in the title race, and with a favourable fixture run-in on the horizon, the Gunners could soon leapfrog both Liverpool and Man City. With that said, football.london have taken a look at Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures and compared them to those awaiting their title rivals.
Arsenal’s next five fixtures
Sheffield United (A) – Monday, March 4
Brentford (H) – Saturday, March 9
Porto (H) – Tuesday, March 12 (Champions League)
Chelsea (H) – Saturday, March 16
Manchester City (A) – Sunday, March 31
Verdict
Arteta got the exact response he was looking for after Arsenal’s defeat to Porto. The Gunners were terrific against Newcastle, both with the ball and without, on Saturday evening and they will be hoping to continue that form in what is arguably their easiest fixture of the season against Sheffield United next Monday.
The Blades have conceded 10 goals in their last two home games and therefore Arteta and his players will be hoping to significantly increase their goal difference. A clash against Brentford then starts off a run of three home games where Arsenal will be hoping to continue their superb form, with the following one the second leg of their Champions League tie against Porto.
Chelsea are the visitors in the middle of March for a London derby, where Arsenal will be hoping to avenge the two points dropped earlier in the season. The final day of next month sees their biggest clash of the campaign then arrive with a trip to reigning champions Manchester City.
Liverpool’s next five fixtures
Chelsea (N) – Sunday, February 25 (Carabao Cup)
Southampton (H) – Wednesday, February 28 (FA Cup)
Nottingham Forest (A) – Saturday, March 2
Manchester City (H) Sunday, March 10
Everton (A) – Sunday, March 17
Manchester City’s next five fixtures
Luton Town (A) – Tuesday, February 27 (FA Cup)
Manchester United (H) – Sunday, March 3
