Arsenal get BIG title boost from Alexis and fixture list

Arsenal found out the heavy cost of not being ready from the start of a season. With a long injury list combined with the hangover from the World Cup finals suffered by our Germany internationals, the Gunners were out of the race for the Premier League before we knew what was going on, something that Arsene Wenger and the players have spoken about making sure does not happen again when the new season begins in less than two months.

We already look in better shape though, with no more injury problems hitting us from the international games that have been going on recently. But that still leaves Wenger crossing his fingers and hoping that Calum Chambers, Serge Gnabry and, most importantly, Alexis Sanchez come through their summer tournaments in good shape.

However, we still know that the Chilean will be given a good month off once his Copa America is done, probably on the 4th of July. With the Premier League starting early, we are going to have to start without him so those first few fixtures are massive and we have been handed a big boost by the fixture schedule.

A home clash with West Ham is followed by a trip to Crystal Palace, giving us a great chance to start well without our star man. And there is a real chance that he will be available for our third game, at home to Liverpool on the 22nd.

So Arsenal have been given every chance to get off to a good start. It is vital that we take advantage!