Arsenal took a huge leap towards their first Premier League title in nearly 20 years on Sunday with a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace. The result and performance was the perfect response to the Gunners' Europa League exit at the hands of Sporting CP three days earlier.
The Gunners are now eight points clear of Manchester City with ten games remaining, though Pep Guardiola's side do have a game in hand. The Citizens do, however, continue to participate in three competitions after progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-final last week.
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Club football will take a backseat for the next fortnight as international football commences for the first time in 2023. The schedule for Mikel Arteta's side presents a number of difficult tests, with six games set to take place in April.
As in seasons gone by, further twists and turns are expected to unfold between now and the end of May. With that in mind, football.london looks at the five toughest fixtures Arsenal are still to face in their final ten games.
5. Brighton (H) - May 13
The Seagulls have been one of the Premier League's surprise packages this season. Despite losing Graham Potter in September, Roberto De Zerbi has steadied the ship and has improved a number of players such as Kaoru Mitoma and Alexis Mac Allister.
Brighton have defeated the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal this season - and in some style. Their recent FA Cup win over Grimsby Town means they remain on course to bring European football to the AMEX Stadium for the first time.
Arsenal seemingly eased past the Seagulls with little trouble in the New Year's Eve meeting - a 4-2 win - but since that result, Brighton have won nine games and lost only once. Welcoming them to the Emirates Stadium will be a tough task in May.
4. Chelsea (H) - April 29
Previously, facing Chelsea would have been marked as a tough game for any side. However, Potter’s men have struggled this season after Todd Boehly’s revamp of the squad and they’ve lacked consistency.
After defeating Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 of the Champions League, the Blues face Real Madrid in the quarter-final. Their focus will remain on European competition due to their poor form earlier in the season leaving them 11 points behind the top four, but a London derby always produces a sturdy test.
If the meeting earlier in the season is anything to go by, Arsenal shouldn't worry about their London rivals. However, Boehly has since smashed the British transfer record and bolstered Potter's attacking ranks. Form goes out the window in these games and Chelsea will want to wreck the Gunners' title charge.
3. Newcastle (A) - May 6
Every Arsenal supporter remembers the last time Arteta's men took on Newcastle on Tyneside. A Ben White own goal and Bruno Guimaraes strike all-but-ended the Gunners' hopes of achieving a top four finish.
This season, both clubs have improved drastically. Newcastle find themselves in the race for a top four spot and recently came close to winning their first major trophy in 68 years. Come May, when Arteta takes his side to St James' Park, the fixture could have much resting on it for both sides.
The Magpies have rediscovered their early season form in recent weeks with dramatic late wins over Wolves and Nottingham Forest. Before the consecutive 2-1 wins, Eddie Howe's men went five games without a victory. With Tottenham still inconsistent, Newcastke remain in contention for a top-four finish and the fixture in May could play a telling factor.
2. Liverpool (A) - April 9
Similar to Chelsea, Liverpool have improved in recent weeks. However, Jurgen Klopp's side have been unable to put together a good run of results and face an uphill battle to finish in the top four.
After smashing rivals Manchester United 7-0, the Merseyside outfit crashed out of the Champions League and suffered a 1-0 loss to relegation-threatened AFC Bournemouth.
Fixtures elsewhere prior to the international break means the Reds are seven points behind Spurs in fourth - with two games in hand. However, their next three games are against Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
1. Manchester City (A) - April 26
The game in every football fan's diary. Arsenal's trip to the Etihad Stadium could very well be the game that makes-or-breaks the Gunners' title race. Win and it would be a momentous step towards history. Lose and Guardiola's men will have the upper hand.
City have already defeated their title rivals twice this season and possess experience in coming out on top in these situations. But the opportunity that presents itself for the Gunners squad is an exciting one.
There will be 15 more points left to play for after this game. Right now, it would be fair to predict that whoever comes out on top in this clash, will be the team celebrating at the end of May.
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