Arsenal were knocked out of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night, falling on penalties to Sporting CP after the two sides couldn't be separated over two legs.
The Gunners came back from Lisbon confident after drawing 2-2 and Granit Xhaka gave them the lead early on in the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium. However, a long-range strike from Pedro Goncalves levelled the aggregate scoreline at 3-3 before Gabriel Martinelli's poor penalty granted Sporting passage to the quarter-finals at the expense of Mikel Arteta's side.
Still, the north Londoners remain at the top of the Premier League table, five points clear of second-placed Manchester City with just 11 games to go. The Citizens are fighting on three fronts still considering their involvement in both the Champions League as well as the FA Cup and football.london has compared the two title rival's next five fixtures so you don't have to.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Saliba's injury, Martinelli's miss and bouncing back
Crystal Palace (H) - Premier League - Sunday, March 19
Arsenal will be hoping that Thursday night's physical and mental battle won't have exhausted them too much ahead of Crystal Palace's visit to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Gunners secured a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in August thanks to a Gabriel Martinelli finish before a Tyrick Mitchell own goal.
Palace have been in torrid form of late, failing to win each of their last 12 fixtures across all competitions - failing to score in each of their last four outings. That kind of form led to manager Patrick Vieira losing his job on Friday morning.
Leeds (H) - Premier League - Saturday, April 1
After the Palace match, there is a two-week hiatus of club football as players head off to play for their respective international sides. Arsenal's first game back is another home game against the struggling Leeds United.
The Gunners won 1-0 away at Elland Road back in October 2022 in what was a hugely scrappy match filled with refereeing controversy. Leeds have since appointed a new manager in the form of Javi Gracia, who has helped steady the ship, picking up four points from his three league fixtures in charge.
Liverpool (A) - Premier League - Sunday, April 9
One of the biggest tests in the run-in comes against Liverpool at Anfield a week later.
Arsenal's recent record in Merseyside is shocking, with Mikel Arteta losing every single one of the away matches to the Reds in the league since taking over as Gunners head coach back in December 2019. In fact, the north Londoners haven't picked up a point at Anfield since the 2015/16 season - when they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Jurgen Klopp's debut campaign.
West Ham (A) - Premier League - Sunday, April 16
Arsenal then face another away fixture, travelling to the London Stadium to take on strugglers West Ham United.
The Gunners boast an excellent recent record against the Hammers, winning five of their last six meetings - including a 3-1 victory at the Emirates on Boxing Day. However, David Moyes' side are engaged in a relegation fight and are unlikely to be an easy task this time around.
Southampton (H) - Premier League - Friday, April 21
The last game Arsenal face before their huge title battle against City is a home game against Southampton, who are currently bottom of the pile. The Saints played out a 1-1 draw with the league-leaders back at St. Mary's earlier this season, although they have sacked two managers since then.
Man City next five fixtures:
Burnley (H) - FA Cup quarter-final - March 18
Liverpool (H) - Premier League - April 1
Southampton (A) - Premier League - April 9
Champions League quarter-final first leg (TBC) - April 11/12
Leicester City (H) - Premier League - April 16
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