How Arsenal's next five Premier League fixtures compare to Liverpool's | OneFootball

Arsenal had suffered consecutive cup setbacks due to wasteful finishing and were again profligate in front of goal during Wednesday's north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur.

As Declan Rice pointed out: "I think we were probably unlucky that we didn't score 10 tonight."

The Gunners managed to score two after Son Heung-min's opening goal to secure yet another Premier League victory over Spurs at the Emirates Stadium. For once, Arsenal's triumph came hot on the heels of a rare slip-up from Liverpool, ensuring that Mikel Arteta's side are just four points behind the division's leaders.

Here's what lies in store for both clubs over a potentially season-defining few weeks.

Arsenal's next five Premier League fixtures

Aston Villa crushed Arsenal's title hopes at the Emirates last season / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

The Emirates will be fearful when Aston Villa make the trip to north London on Saturday evening after they crushed Arsenal's title hopes with a 2-0 win last April. Unai Emery completed the double over Arteta last season, but the Gunners did claim a bit of vengeance by winning 2-0 at Villa Park at the start of 2024/25.

Another West Midlands opponent follows Villa's visit, but Arsenal will have to make the trip to the Black Country to round off their Premier League January schedule. Wolves have evolved into a rather enterprising unit under new manager Vitor Pereira, and their desperation for points means the fixture will be far from simple for the title hopefuls.

February's meeting with perennial champions Manchester City would've been billed as a potential title race-shaper in pre-season, but the Cityzens' woes means they're scarcely in contention for the title. Even when you think they're back, Pep Guardiola's side go and squander 2-0 leads at Brentford.

Reports suggest Arsenal will use their free week the following weekend (after their FA Cup third-round exit) to return to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. The Gunners' trip to the Middle East last January inspired a remarkable resurgence during the second half of 2023/24, and supporters will be desperate for the camp to have a similar impact this time around.

They should be rejuvenated and healthier on the injury front when they meet Leicester on 12 February before hosting a West Ham team emboldened by Graham Potter's arrival the following week.

Liverpool's next five Premier League fixtures

Liverpool have a tough trip to the Gtech on the horizon / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Liverpool have dropped points in back-to-back Premier League outings, but their performance in the second half at Nottingham Forest suggested few signs of a major drop-off. They would've escaped the City Ground with three points if it wasn't for a monstrous Matz Sels display.

However, Slot's side will be put to the test in more tough environments over the next few weeks. Liverpool visit Brentford, one of the division's highest-scoring and best-performing home teams this season, at the weekend before facing Bournemouth at the Vitality on 1 February.

The Cherries haven't been beaten on the south coast since 23 November.

Ipswich visit Anfield in between those two awkward tests, with Liverpool downing Kieran McKenna's side 2-0 on the opening weekend of the season.

Everton supporters will be relishing the title favourites' midweek visit next month after the initial fixture at Goodison Park was postponed because of Storm Darragh. The Toffees prevailed in the corresponding fixture last season, and Liverpool have their work cut out if they're to triumph in the final Merseyside Derby held at Everton's historic ground.

Liverpool's upcoming Premier League run concludes at home to the relegation-threatened Wolves.