Arsenal are just days away from relaunching their defence of the Premier League top-spot. Unlike Leeds, Everton and Chelsea, the Gunners will be counting their lucky stars that they don't have to face Erling Haaland upon the restart, with the top goalscorer fully rested after watching the World Cup unfold from the comfort of his living room.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping he can reignite his side's great form after entering the festive period eight games unbeaten in the league. Though, there is always the worry that the north Londoners will not be able to catch up to speed with Manchester City only five points behind in second place.
What will come as a blessing in disguise is the bit-part role that William Saliba played in France's World Cup campaign. While it would have been nice for supporter to see their star defender appear more than he did, the youngster will return to London Colney is a far better physical condition than if he had started - and finished - each of Les Bleu's games in Qatar.
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So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at Arsenal's next five fixtures as Arteta looks to defend the Gunners' place at the top of the Premier League.
26/12 - West Ham (H) - Premier League - 8pm
The Gunners will lock horns with West Ham on Boxing Day and it's set to be a tough fixture. The Hammers struggled for form heading into the World Cup break so a period away to relax, train and regather their thoughts came at the perfect time.
The same can't be said about Arsenal. The north Londoners have been in great form lately and they will want to continue in the same vein - although now without Gabriel Jesus, who is set to be on the sideline injured for some time. Arteta will be looking to jumpstart his side and hope that the break in play hasn't interrupted their rhythm.
31/12 - Brighton & Hove Albion (A) - Premier League - 5:30pm
The fixtures come thick and fast for Arsenal and they face a 58-mile trip to the Amex Stadium on New Year's Eve to conclude an impressive 2022. A result here could ensure that they go into 2023 at the top of the Premier League table for the first time since 2016.
Brighton have provided many banana skins for the Gunners in recent years, with the Seagulls dumping Arteta's side out of the Carabao Cup before the World Cup break. That could now come as a blessing in disguise with one less fixture out of the congested festive fixture schedule.
03/01 - Newcastle United (H) - Premier League - 7:45pm
This is set to be one of Arsenal's toughest games of the season with Eddie Howe's side really pushing for a place in the top-four. One consolation is that the tie is at the Emirates Stadium and not St. James' Park otherwise the Gunners could have been in for a gruelling pair of away days at opposite ends of the country.
09/01 Oxford United (A) - FA Cup - 8pm
Arsenal will want to go the distance in the FA Cup. Ordinarily, a trip to Oxford United would have been the perfect chance for Arteta to rotate his squad and, while it still is, the Gunners have a nice break either side of the fixture which the boss some freedom in his decision making.
15/01 - Tottenham (A) - Premier League - 4:30pm
The north London Derby. A game which is not to bed missed. Tensions will be high and yellow cards will be dished out as red mist descends.
Not much has separated the two rivals in recent times with either side winning three from the previous six meetings. Prior to that, Arsenal and Tottenham drew twice - but no matter the final score there has always been plenty of goals. A game not to be missed.
22/01 - Manchester United (H) - Premier League - 4:30pm
Erik ten Hag's side are closing in on a place in the top-four so a result against the Red Devils would be huge. Historically, this has been a fearsome fixture and, with both sides nearing their best again, it's poised to be a great game.
04/02 - Everton (A) - Premier League - 12:30pm
This is a game Arsenal will expect to win with Everton just outside the drop zone. The Toffees are just one point from the bottom-three and Goodison Park will be rocking.
Next five fixtures for Arsenal's top-six rivals
Man City
22/12 - Liverpool (H) - Carabao Cup - 8pm
28/12 - Leeds United (A) - Premier League - 8pm
31/12 - Everton (H) - Premier League - 3pm
05/01 - Chelsea (A) - Premier League - 8pm
08/01 - Chelsea (H) - FA Cup - 4:30pm
Newcastle United
20/12 - Bournemouth (H) - Carabao Cup - 19:45pm
26/12 - Leicester City (A) - Premier League - 3pm
31/12 - Leeds United (H) - Premier League - 3pm
03/01 - Arsenal (A) - Premier League - 7:45pm
07/01 - Sheffield Wednesday (A) - FA Cup - 6pm
Manchester United
21/12 - Burnley (H) - Carabao Cup - 8pm
27/12 - Nottingham Forest (H) - Premier League - 8pm
31/12 - Wolves (A) - Premier League - 12:30pm
03/01 - Bournemouth (H) - Premier League - 8pm
06/01 - Everton (H) - FA Cup - 8pm
Liverpool
22/12 - Manchester City (A) - Carabao Cup - 8pm
26/12 - Aston Villa (A) - Premier League - 5:30pm
30/12 - Leicester City (H)- Premier League - 8pm
02/01 - Brentford (A)- Premier League - 5:30pm
07/01 - Wolves (H) - FA Cup - 8pm
Tottenham next five fixtures:
26/12 - Brentford (A) - Premier League - 12:30pm
01/01 - Aston Villa (H) - Premier League - 2pm
04/01 - Crystal Palace (A) - Premier League - 8pm
07/01 - Portsmouth (A) - FA Cup - 12:30pm
15/01 - Arsenal (H) - Premier League - 4:30pm
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