The key games that will define Arsenal’s title challenge

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As the end of January approaches, Arsenal are still hanging on to Liverpool’s coat-tails at the top of the Premier League table. We’ve endured a hugely frustrating season that’s been filled with controversial decisions, costly injuries and poor finishing in attack, but somehow we’re still in touch with the run-away leaders.

Last Saturday’s disappointing 2-2 draw with Aston Villa probably summed up our campaign. Arsenal were 2-0 thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz but let Villa back into the game with two poor pieces of defending as the visitors levelled things up at 2-2. Arsenal thought we had a last gasp winner when Mikel Merino’s shot deflected off Havertz and into the net for 3-2. However, the goal was ruled out as the ball deflected off Havertz’s arm. A marginal call that cost us two vital points – not for the first time this season.

The result – coupled with Liverpool last gap win over Brentford – means Arsenal are six points adrift of the leaders having played an extra game. We need to hope Liverpool collapse and be ready to take advantage with a long winning run similar to the one we produced during the second half of last season. That’s not going to be easy as Arsenal have several tough fixtures remaining.

Let’s take a look at some of the key games we have left that will define our title challenge:

Arsenal vs Man City

After travelling to Wolves this weekend and playing Girona in the Champions League, Arsenal will then host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday February 2nd. Obviously City haven’t been at their imperious best this year, but they are still a top team and this will be an extremely difficult game.

Pep Guardiola has already spent £125m strengthening his squad this month and Erling Haaland recently committed himself to City until 2034 after signing a staggering new contract. Guardiola will be determined to get Man City into the Champions League qualification places and close the gap on those above them.

City currently sit fifth – six points behind second placed Arsenal – so they are still in the mix and will be eyeing a top two finish if they can beat us next month. If Arsenal are to stand a chance of catching Liverpool, we need to beat City and make a real statement in the title race. Fans with Arsenal tickets will be desperate to see us beat Guardiola’s men early next month.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

Not a game you’d usually consider to be a ‘big one’, but Nottingham Forest have improved immeasurably this season and are right in the fight for the top four. They sit third in the table level on points with Arsenal after a stunning season and they deserve to be where they are following some excellent results.

Forest have taken four points from Liverpool after their recent draw at the City Ground, so Arsenal will know they’ll be in for a tough game when we travel to Nottingham on Wednesday 26th February. It will be an intimidating atmosphere, but this is the type of game we need to win if we’re to close the gap on Liverpool.

Man Utd vs Arsenal

Manchester United have been woeful this season but they seem to raise their game against the bigger teams. We comfortably beat them at home earlier in the season, but it should be a tougher game at Old Trafford on Saturday March 8th. Ruben Amorim’s arrival has done little to improve United’s fortune’s as they languish down in 13th place in the table, so Arsenal should be quietly confident of taking away all three points.

We also have to avenge our unbelievable FA Cup exit at the hands of United. We battered them in that game but wasted so many chances to get the win before losing on penalties, so Mikel Arteta and the players will hopefully be desperate to make up for that result.

Arsenal vs Chelsea

After a few seasons in the wilderness, Chelsea appear to be heading in the right direction again and this will be another huge game during our run-in. The Blues currently sit fourth in the table – four points behind Arsenal – and are hoping to return to the Champions League so they’ll be battling for the points when they come to the Emirates on March 15th.

Arsenal vs Chelsea tickets will no doubt be sold out for this massive London Derby as it will have a huge impact on both clubs ambitions this season. We cannot afford to drop too many points during the remaining 16 games, and we simply have to win our home games if we want to win the title, so nothing but three points against Chelsea will do.

Liverpool vs Arsenal

If Arsenal can stay in touch at the top of the table, then we could be in for a mammoth title decider against Liverpool at Anfield on May 10th. This is scheduled to be our third last game of the season, so the outcome will be huge in the title race. Depending on how things stand at this point, a win for Liverpool could even wrap up the title for Arne Slot’s men.

Arteta will hope we’re still in the mix by this point but to stand any hope of winning the title, you’d imagine we’ll need to at least avoid defeat at Anfield. That won’t be easy as the Reds are strong at home and the Anfield faithful will make it an intimidating atmosphere if the title is on the line.

Arsenal should have won the game at the Emirates as we dominated the first half and should have been out of sight. However, unfortunate injuries to Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber turned the game on it’s head and Liverpool clawed their way back to claim a barely deserved point. Revenge will be on the cards at Anfield in May.

Arsenal vs Newcastle

Assuming we can remain in the title hunt, Arsenal face a crucial game in our final home match of 2024/25 as we entertain Newcastle on May 18th. In the penultimate weekend, this will be a pivotal match and Newcastle are likely to be fighting for European places as well, so they’ll have plenty left to play for.

Newcastle have become something of a bogey team for us recently, and we lost the reverse fixture at St James’ Park, so Arsenal will hope to beat the Geordies on home soil.

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