Arsenal had suffered back-to-back cup defeats due to wasteful finishing and were once again abysmal in front of goal during the north London derby against Tottenham on Wednesday.
As Declan Rice pointed out: “I think we were probably unlucky not to score 10 tonight.”
The Gunners made it two after Son Heung-min’s opener to secure another Premier League victory over Spurs at the Emirates Stadium. For once, Arsenal’s triumph came hot on the heels of a rare slip-up by Liverpool, ensuring Mikel Arteta’s side sit just four points behind the league leaders.
Here’s what both clubs have in store in a season-defining few weeks.
Emirates will be scared when Aston Villa make the trip to north London on Saturday afternoon after dashing Arsenal’s title hopes with a A 2-0 win last April. Unai Emery completed the double over Arteta last season, but the Gunners got a bit of revenge by winning 2-0 at Villa Park at the start of 2024/25.
Another West Midlands opponent follows Villa’s visit, but Arsenal will have to make the trip to the Black Country to complete their January Premier League schedule. Wolves they’ve developed into quite the business unit under new manager Vitor Pereira, and their desperation for points means it won’t be an easy game for the title contenders.
February meeting with eternal champions Manchester City He would have been tipped as a potential title race shaper in pre-season but the Cityzens’ woes mean they are barely in contention for the title. Even when you think they’re back, Pep Guardiola’s side go too loses 2-0 lead at Brentford.
Reports suggest Arsenal will use their week off next weekend (following their FA Cup third-round exit) to return to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. The Gunners’ trip to the Middle East last January inspired a remarkable revival in the second half of 2023/24, and supporters will be desperate for the camp to make a similar impact this time around.
They should be refreshed and healthier on the injury front when they meet Leicester on February 12 before hosting a West Ham team boosted by the arrival of Graham Potter next week.
|
Start date and time (GMT) |
Fixture |
|---|---|
|
18/01/25 – 17:30 |
Arsenal – Aston Villa |
|
25/01/25 – 15:00 |
Wolves vs Arsenal |
|
02/02/25 – 16:30 |
Arsenal vs Manchester City |
|
02/15/25 – 12:30 p.m |
Leicester vs Arsenal |
|
22/02/25 – 15:00 |
Arsenal – West Ham |
Liverpool have dropped points on back-to-back Premier League outings, but their performance in second half at Nottingham Forest suggested some signs of a major decline. They would have escaped the City Ground with three points but for a monster display from Matz Sels.
However, Slot’s side will be tested in tougher environments in the coming weeks. Visit to Liverpool Bradfordone of the highest scoring and best performing home teams in the division this season, the weekend before we face Bournemouth at Vitality on February 1st.
Cherries have not been hit on the south coast since November 23rd.
Ipswich visit Anfield between those two awkward tests, with Liverpool downing Kieran McKenna’s side 2-0 on the opening weekend of the season.
Everton Supporters will enjoy the visit of the title favorites in midweek 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 have their work cut out for them if they are to triumph in the Merseyside Derby final held at Everton’s historic ground.
Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League run ends at home to the relegation-threatened Wolves.
|
Start date and time (GMT) |
Fixture |
|---|---|
|
18/01/25 – 15:00 |
Brentford vs Liverpool |
|
25/01/25 – 15:00 |
Liverpool vs Ipswich |
|
01/02/25 – 15:00 |
Bournemouth vs Liverpool |
|
02/12/25 – 19:30 |
Everton vs Liverpool |
|
16/02/25 – 14:00 |
Liverpool vs Wolves |
