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Football London
Football London
Sport
Josh Holland

Arsenal's five toughest Premier League matches left as Man City battle continues

Arsenal continue to lead the way at the top of the Premier League table after 26 games. The Gunners remain five points clear of reigning champions Manchester City but there is plenty of football still to be played.

Last weekend's dramatic victory over Bournemouth demonstrated Mikel Arteta's side's ability to fight until the end. The north Londoners came from 2-0 down to earn their 20th league win of the season thanks to Reiss Nelson's strike in added time.

While focus temporarily turns to the Europa League this week, the priority, rightly so, remains on the league. 19 years have passed since the Gunners won the league and Arteta looks as though he has found the formula to replicate Arsene Wenger's achievements.

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In years gone by, Man City have long gone head-to-head with Liverpool for the title and have been won the battle on two occasions. This season, Pep Guardiola's men are now the chasing pack and they have shown no signs of easing the pressure on Arsenal.

Each weekend provides different tests for each side. In the upcoming round of Premier League fixtures, City are first up on Saturday before the Gunners travel to Fulham the following day. Expect twists and turns between now and May 28.

With that in mind, football.london looks at the five toughest fixtures Arsenal are still to face in their final 12 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 led the club to being in contention for European football - for the first time in their history.

Brighton have defeated the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal this season - and in some style. They remain in the FA Cup and are simply one of the most attractive teams to watch.

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. 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 struled after setting a standard in the first half of the season and are currently without a league win since February 15. However, the atmosphere in Newcastle can really play a role in the outcome of the game and Arsenal have to overcome the pressure, once again.

3. Chelsea (H) - April 29

This time last week, many would have marked Chelsea's visit to the Emirates Stadium as one of the easier fixtures left to come. Potter has struggled to implement his ideas on the Blues squad since replacing Thomas Tuchel in September and currently sees his team positioned in mid-table.

However, two wins in four days seem to have injected a much-needed lift amongst the west Londoners, with Tuesday's 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund sealing their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The victory over the Bundesliga side - who had won their last 10 games - was followed by celebrations of huge relief amongst players and staff. Chelsea could be back.

If the meeting earlier in the season is anything to go by, Arsenal shouldn't worry about their London rivals. However, Todd Boehly has since smashed the British transfer record and bolstered Potter's attacking ranks. Form goes out the windiw and Chelsea will not want to assist the Gunners' title charge.

2. Liverpool (A) - April 9

Similar to Chelsea, Liverpool seem to be experiencing a major turnaround in form. Previously, Jurgen Klopp's side sat in the middle of the Premier League table after disappointing results to Brentford, Brighton and Wolves.

Ever since Julen Lopetegui's side put three past the Reds at the start of February, the Merseyside outfit have won four of their previous six games in all competitions - including a historic 7-0 thrashing of rivals Manchester United.

Liverpool are now in the race for a top four finish and Arsenal's visit to Anfield is set to be a mouth-watering one. The fixture is scheduled to take place on the same day of Man City's trip to Southampton so Sunday, April 9 has potential to be a crucial date in the season.

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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