Five games which could define Arsenal’s season
Having defeated Manchester United 3-0 at the Emirates, beaten Leicester 5-2 on the road and knocked arch-rivals Tottenham out of the Capital One Cup, Arsenal’s season is now starting to look very positive. Meanwhile, they are just two points off top spot in the Premier League table.
Here are five games left on the calendar which could be huge when it comes to Arsenal having a very good season or another average campaign.
Bayern Munich (away) – 4th November, 2015
The Gunners have made a disastrous start to their Champions League campaign this season and it does look like they are going to fail to reach the knockout stage of the competition this time around. If they are to turn this disappointing start around, though, and finish in the top two in their group, they are going to need to get something out of their games with German champions Bayern Munich, including in their away trip to Germany.
Bayern have looked unstoppable so far this season, with Robert Lewandowski establishing himself as arguably the best striker on the planet right now.
What may play in Arsenal’s favour is that Bayern may have already qualified for the last 16 by this point and could choose to rest some of their big stars. Either way, this will be a difficult game. But if the Gunners can get a result, they may still keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the next stage of Europe’s premier tournament.
Manchester City (home) – 21st December, 2015
Christmas will have come early for those who are able to pick up Arsenal tickets for this game. If the Gunners are able to defeat the current Premier League leaders Manchester City, four days before Christmas Day, it will make them serious title contenders this season. By taking three points off the favourites for the title this season, the betting and league table are likely to be in Arsenal’s favour when it comes to finishing top at the end of the campaign.
Manchester United (away) – 27th February, 2016
It took just 20 minutes for Arsenal to kill the game off against Manchester United at the Emirates, however, they are unlikely to find it so easy when they travel to Old Trafford in February.
Louis van Gaal will remind his players of that embarrassment and they are likely to be looking for revenge so the Gunners will need to be at their very best. This is always one of the toughest games in the Premier League calendar for Arsene Wenger’s men.
Tottenham (away) – 5th March, 2016
Nothing is sweeter than a victory over North London rivals Tottenham and to do it in their own back yard makes it taste even better. Regardless of where these two sides are in the table at this stage of the season, Arsenal fans will be desperate to get one over on Spurs.
Manchester City (away) – 7th May, 2016
This has the makings of being some game if both sides are still in contention for the title. It could come down to a shootout for the silverware at the Etihad Stadium and most Arsenal fans would probably take that situation right now.
Arsenal proved last season with their 2-0 victory in this fixture that they can win the big games. They will need to remain consistent before then to make sure they stay in the race before the penultimate game of the Premier League fixture list.
