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Analysing Arsenal's run-in

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the fixtures Arsenal will have to play if the 2019-20 Premier League season resumes.

Despite their improvement since the arrival of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal still only sit in ninth position in the Premier League standings.

While just eight points separate the Gunners from fourth-placed Chelsea, earning a return to the Champions League appears increasingly unlikely.

Although the North Londoners have played one game fewer than many of the teams above them, finishing positions being decided by a points-per-game ratio would also not benefit the club with regards to the Europa League.

With Arsenal eager to resume the season at some point in the future, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at their remaining 10 fixtures.


Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts on February 27, 2020© Reuters

Assuming that the previous fixture schedule remains in the same order, Arsenal would face a trip to Manchester City in their first game back - a daunting prospect given that City have scored eight goals during the last three corresponding fixtures.

While a home outing against Brighton & Hove appears favourable on paper, the Seagulls stunned Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium as recently as December.

Next up could be a visit to St Mary's to face Southampton, a fixture which Arsenal have only lost once in four attempts, albeit the most recent encounter in December 2018.

Arsenal will want to take advantage of their home encounter with Norwich City, who have only claimed one away success in 15 outings this season.

Nevertheless, the Canaries have their FA Cup triumph over Tottenham Hotspur before the coronavirus pandemic fresh in their memories.

Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their third goal with Nicolas Pepe and Hector Bellerin on February 23, 2020© Reuters

While Wolverhampton Wanderers will be favourites to get the better of Arsenal at Molineux, the West Midlands outfit have won just five of their 15 home games this season.

The showdown with Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium promises to be a competitive affair, with the Foxes registering seven victories on their travels since the beginning of August.

A double-header with Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool follows the meeting with Leicester, games which could potentially decide whether Arsenal retain their place on the European scene.

Spurs will be welcoming their fierce rivals to their new stadium for the first time, while Arsenal will be looking to end a 10-game winless streak against the Merseyside giants.

Although the season-closing games with Aston Villa and Watford will appeal to Arsenal supporters, both opposition could still be fighting to avoid relegation from the top flight.

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka look dejected after Brighton & Hove Albion's Neal Maupay scored their second goal on December 5, 2019© Reuters

Despite still having to play the top three again, the average positions of the teams remaining on Arsenal's schedule is 10.5, indicating that they are have some games which look ideal on paper.

However, Arsenal have an alarming record in the reverse matches this season, picking up just eight points against the same foes.

Arsenal's remaining Premier League fixtures

Man City (a)
Brighton (h)
Southampton (a)
Norwich (h)
Wolves (a)
Leicester (h)
Spurs (a)
Liverpool (h)
Aston Villa (a)
Watford (h)

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Written by
Darren Plant
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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