Arsenal have suffered back-to-back cup defeats due to unnecessary finishing and were again profligate in front of goal in Wednesday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
As Declan Rice pointed out: “I think we were probably unlucky not to score 10 tonight.”
The Gunners managed to score two after Son Heung-min’s opening goal to secure another Premier League win over Spurs at the Emirates Stadium. For once, Arsenal’s triumph followed a rare mistake from Liverpool, ensuring Mikel Arteta’s side are just four points behind the division leaders.
Here’s what awaits both clubs over a potentially season-defining few weeks.
The Emirates will be afraid when Villa Aston travel to north London on Saturday night after dashing Arsenal’s title hopes with a 2-0 win last April. Unai Emery completed the double against Arteta last season, but the Gunners exacted some revenge with a 2-0 win at Villa Park at the start of 2024/25.
Another West Midlands opponent follows Villa’s visit, but Arsenal will have to travel to the Black Country to complete their January Premier League schedule. Wolves have evolved into a rather enterprising unit under new manager Vitor Pereira, and their desperation for points means the game will be far from straightforward for the title hopes.
The February meeting with the eternal champions Manchester City would have been touted as a potential title race-breaker in pre-season, but the Cityzens’ woes mean they are hardly in title contention. Even when you think they are back, Pep Guardiola’s side will squander the 2-0 lead at Brentford.
Reports suggest that Arsenal will use their free week the following weekend (following their FA Cup third round elimination) to return to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. The Gunners’ trip to the Middle East last January inspired a remarkable resurgence in the second half of 2023/24, and supporters will be desperate to see the camp make a similar impact this time around.
They should be rejuvenated and healthier from injuries when they meet. Leicester on February 12 before organizing a Western Ham team emboldened by the arrival of Graham Potter the following week.
Kick-off date and time (GMT) | Fixing |
|---|---|
01/18/25 – 5:30 p.m. | Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
01/25/25 – 3:00 p.m. | Wolves vs Arsenal |
02/02/25 – 4:30 p.m. | Arsenal vs Man City |
02/15/25 – 12:30 p.m. | Leicester vs Arsenal |
02/22/25 – 3:00 p.m. | Arsenal v West Ham |
Liverpool have dropped points in their two consecutive Premier League outings, but their second-half performance at Nottingham Forest suggests few signs of a major decline. They would have escaped the City Ground with three points if not for a monstrous display from Matz Sels.
However, Slot’s team will be put to the test in more difficult environments over the coming weeks. Liverpool Tour Brentfordone of the most impactful and successful home teams in the division this season, this weekend before facing Bournemouth at Vitality on February 1st.
The Cherries have not been beaten on the south coast since November 23.
Ipswich visit Anfield between these two tough tests, with Liverpool beating Kieran McKenna’s side 2-0 on the opening weekend of the season.
Everton fans will enjoy a midweek visit of the title favorites next month after the opening match at Goodison Park was postponed due to Storm Darragh. The Toffees prevailed in the corresponding fixture last season, and Liverpool will have their work cut out for them if they are to triumph in the latest Merseyside derby hosted at the historic Everton ground.
Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League campaign ends at home to relegation-threatened side Wolves.
Kick-off date and time (GMT) | Fixing |
|---|---|
01/18/25 – 3:00 p.m. | Brentford vs Liverpool |
01/25/25 – 3:00 p.m. | Liverpool v Ipswich |
02/01/25 – 3:00 p.m. | Bournemouth v Liverpool |
02/12/25 – 7:30 p.m. | Everton vs Liverpool |
02/16/25 – 2:00 p.m. | Liverpool vs Wolves |
