A Brief Look Into Arsenal’s Fixtures After the International Break

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The Gunners are preparing for a crucial set of fixtures when the international break ends in two weeks. The 2024/25 season has been a roller coaster for Mikel Arteta’s side, who have struggled with consistency in the Premier League. The upcoming games will not be easy for the North London side and will be a decisive phase in the outcome they seek to achieve this season.

Having finished second in the Premier League for the last two consecutive seasons, narrowly missing out on the title to Manchester City, the Gunners find themselves in familiar territory, chasing glory but with plenty of ground to cover. They also have the Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup to navigate, adding more intensity to the level of competition expected of them all season.

Let’s take a closer look at the next few games Arsenal will face in all competitions before the end of the year.

Nottingham Forest (H), Premier League – Saturday, 23rd November, 15:00

Arsenal returns to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, looking to turn around their recent dip in form. The Gunners have not won in their last four matches across all competitions, a worrying trend that Arteta will be keen to address. However, they will be wary of Nottingham Forest, who have been exceptional all season and are currently level with them on 19 points (5th place).

The battle in the top four is getting intense, and Arsenal will have to pick up their pace to ensure Liverpool doesn’t run off by a mile. Manchester City, Chelsea, and Brighton, on the other hand, are contesting intensely in the top flight, with only four points separating teams from third place down to thirteenth.

The Gunners have been the dominant side in the fixture for over three decades, but with the re-emergence of the former English powerhouse this season, it will not be a walk in the park for Mikel Arteta’s team. Hopefully, Arsenal’s fitness worries will be solved before the clash, allowing Saka, Rice, Calafiori, and Tomiyasu to be available for the game. We expect a fierce battle at the Emirates as Arsenal aims to reclaim their winning touch.

Sporting Lisbon (A), UEFA Champions League – Tuesday, 26th November, 20:00

After a fierce encounter with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest, Arteta and his team will travel to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon. After a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in their last UCL outing, the Gunners sit 2nd in the group stage rankings with 7 points from two wins and a draw.

This away fixture is critical if Arsenal hopes to secure qualification for the knockout stages. Sporting Lisbon currently employs the services of João Pereira after Ruben Amorim’s departure to join Manchester United. They have had a dominant form in the Portuguese League and the Champions League, sitting at the top of the League by a margin after 11 unbeaten games and second in the Champions League with zero losses. The new changes in the managerial role are expected to be as clean as Amorim’s record, but balancing into a new system may be quite the catch for Lisbon.

Sporting Lisbon has proven to be a formidable opponent at home in the Champions League, winning both home games against Lille and Manchester City. Arteta’s squad must be at their best. A win here could reignite their European hopes and provide a much-needed confidence boost to the squad.

West Ham United (A), Premier League – Saturday, 30th November, 17:30

The Gunners will travel west to face the Hammers at the London Stadium for their last game of the month. The game will be tricky for Arteta’s side following West Ham’s poor start to the season.

The London derby between both sides has always been intense, and this encounter will be no different. West Ham has been in dynamic form in the last five games, winning two games and losing twice. Their passionate home crowd will be out in full force, eager to push their side to victory against one of their fiercest rivals. For Arsenal, this game presents an opportunity to regain momentum in the league. After failing to win in their last four matches, every point matters as they look to keep pace with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool at the top.

Manchester United (H), Premier League – Wednesday, 4th December, 20:15

Arsenal vs. Manchester United is most likely the most treasured clash in English football. The two sides have been going strong against each other for the past two decades, and last season saw Arsenal dominate the Red Devils in both encounters.

Manchester United will be looking to avenge past disappointments and make a statement against an Arsenal side that has been inconsistent this season. This will be Arteta’s first game against Ruben Amorim after missing their meeting early on in the Champions League. With both clubs vying for a top-four finish, the stakes are high.

Given Arsenal’s form, this could be a defining moment in their campaign. A win against a historic rival like Manchester United could reignite their push for the title and send a message to the rest of the league. On the other hand, Manchester United aims to better their eighth-place finish last season by potentially becoming title contenders again under the leadership of their new and experienced head coach.

Fulham (A), Premier League – Sunday, 8th December, 14:00

Arsenal’s packed December schedule continues with a visit to Craven Cottage in another London derby. Fulham has enjoyed decent form this season, sitting in 7th place in the League with five wins from eleven games. They are resilient at home, and this game won’t be a banana skin for Arteta’s men.

Arsenal will need to be sharp against Marco Silva’s solid defensive network and smart to break off their counter-attacking plays from the home side. The North London side, considering their recent struggles and failed dominant tactics in the games against Inter Milan and Chelsea, will look towards covering their mistakes and bettering their plays if they wish to replicate the success they’ve enjoyed in this fixture for the past two seasons.

This fixture comes just three days before their crucial Champions League match against Monaco, so Arteta may need to rotate his squad wisely. A strong performance here to gain all three points will keep Arsenal’s Premier League aspirations alive and set them up nicely for their Champions League challenge.

Arsenal will play Everton (H), Crystal Palace (H), and Ipswich United (H) in the Premier League before the year runs out. A crucial Carabao Cup encounter with Crystal Palace on the 18th of December further adds to the tight schedule the Gunners will face in the coming months.

Sitting fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Brighton, the Gunners need to find their rhythm if they are to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for the title and end their decade-long wait for the English Championship.

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Will Arsenal rise to the occasion, or will this season be another tale of missed opportunities? The next few matches will surely provide the answers.

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