Optimism was rife in the red half of the north London divide heading into the 2022/23 season, but very few supporters, if any, projected this sort of majesty from Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
Arsenal currently sit in pole position at the top of the Premier League table, five points ahead of reigning champions, Manchester City, who have played a game more.
Their form has failed to waver despite the absence of key man Gabriel Jesus, who had a transformative effect on the Gunners’ attack before the World Cup, with Eddie Nketiah filling in ably.
While some are still projecting their demise, the vast majority have come to realise Arsenal’s legitimacy as a potential title winner.
However, there’s still a long way to go in the 2022/23 season, and here are six fixtures that will define the Gunners’ bid for the Premier League title.
The Gunners have passed every test they’ve faced this season, but this will undoubtedly be their toughest. The current top two meet at the Emirates on what’s poised to be a brisk Wednesday night in mid-February.
It’s a mammoth encounter as Manchester City come to town in what will be billed as an early decisive contest in the title race.
Arsenal will be hoping that their healthy lead is still intact by the time this fixture rolls around, with the two teams facing off in a prelude to their Premier League clashes in the FA Cup fourth round.
It’s been a bleak season for Liverpool thus far. There have been multiple factors in their 2022/23 demise, with injuries playing a significant role.
The likes of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and now Virgil van Dijk are enduring lengthy spells on the sidelines, but each of these players are expected to be back in action during the second half of the campaign. Therefore the Reds should improve as the season progresses, and this trip to Anfield will be far from easy for the current table-toppers.
While Liverpool’s home ground hasn’t quite been the fortress of years past this term, Arsenal haven’t claimed victory away at the Reds since 2012.
While the first Premier League meeting between the two sides may not be a title decider as such, their April encounter very well could be if they each continue on their current paths.
Guardiola has dominated the duel with his apprentice since Arteta took charge of the Gunners, but never before will the Spaniard take such an excellent side to the Etihad.
Manchester City haven’t been beaten by Arsenal in the Premier League since 2015, with the Citizens winning 12 of the last 13 meetings…
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