Arsène Wenger believes that his men can not get complacent over their fixture list which seems to favour them nicely compared to rivals Chelsea and Spurs, but Wenger has warned that the ‘easier’ matches are likely to be tougher than you think.
The Gunners have climbed to within one point of third-placed Spurs, and with only 10 matches left of the Premier League campaign, pressure is on to perform at the highest level with every match essentially a ‘cup final’ with points so valuable at present.
Arsenal’s superb form has seen them win five matches on the trot, but Wenger has stressed that that they must keep focused and play their game which they have been doing so well recently. The Frenchman told Arsenal player:
[Sometimes] there are games that you think will be difficult but they are slightly easier than expected, and sometimes the easy game is harder than expected.
You don’t make any plans. The only thing we know is what is needed from us: to be at our best no matter what people say about the situation.
[It is important] to keep your squad available and keep your spirit, togetherness and teamwork at a very high level. Also you must maintain belief and not tighten up. Be relaxed, focused and determined.
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We have created the momentum, so let’s take care of it. Keep the urgency high, the level of commitment high, then momentum can be an advantage for you.
Arsenal need to keep up their recent form, belief and drive that has enabled them to grab last minute winners. They have managed to grind out the necessary results which is something that Manchester United have always excelled in, making them such a great team, and that will be a key attribute against battling teams such as Villa and Stoke.
Chelsea have an extremely tough run of fixtures coming up, Tottenham similarly have a tough road as they are still involved in the FA Cup and are struggling for form at the moment. So the Gunners have a real shot at securing third place this season, check out the full fixtures list for Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea:
Arsenal’s remaining 10 fixtures:
Mar 21 | 07:00 EST | Everton | v | Arsenal | Goodison Park | Premier League |
Mar 24 | 02:00 EST | Arsenal | v | Aston Villa | Emirates Stadium | Premier League |
Mar 31 | 01:00 EST | Queens Park Rangers | v | Arsenal | Loftus Road | Premier League |
Apr 8 | 01:00 EST | Arsenal | v | Manchester City | Emirates Stadium | Premier League |
Apr 11 | 04:45 EST | Wolverhampton Wanderers | v | Arsenal | Molineux Stadium | Premier League |
Apr 16 | 05:00 EST | Arsenal | v | Wigan Athletic | Emirates Stadium | Premier League |
Apr 21 | 21:45 EST | Arsenal | v | Chelsea | Emirates Stadium | Premier League |
Apr 28 | 00:00 EST | Stoke City | v | Arsenal | Britannia Stadium | Premier League |
May 5 | 21:45 EST | Arsenal | v | Norwich City | Emirates Stadium | Premier League |
May 13 | 00:00 EST | West Bromwich Albion | v | Arsenal | The Hawthorns | Premier League |
The Gunners have the ‘easiest’ of themselves, Spurs and Chelsea’s fixtures with three matches against top 10 opponents, but two of which will be at Emirates which has been an absolute fortress of late. Arsene Wenger’s men are a team on fire and should have the strength to hold off the likes of City and Chelsea, but it will take a massive amount of enegery and persaverance to gain all three points in some of the other matches. There will be a key two weeks for the Gunners from 8th April to the 21st where the Gunners play City at home, Wolves away, Wigan away and Chelsea at home. These fixtures alone could determine their status as a top four side with injuries likely to plague the Gunners lineup.
Tottenham’s remaining 10 fixtures:
Mar 17 | 04:30 EST | Tottenham Hotspur | v | Bolton Wanderers | White Hart Lane | FA Cup (Quarter-finals) |
Mar 21 | 06:45 EST | Tottenham Hotspur | v | Stoke City | White Hart Lane | Premier League |
Mar 24 | 23:45 EST | Chelsea | v | Tottenham Hotspur | Stamford Bridge | Premier League |
Apr 1 | 01:00 EST | Tottenham Hotspur | v | Swansea City | White Hart Lane | Premier League |
Apr 7 | 21:45 EST | Sunderland | v | Tottenham Hotspur | Stadium of Light | Premier League |
Apr 9 | 00:00 EST | Tottenham Hotspur | v | Norwich City | White Hart Lane | Premier League |
Apr 15 | 22:30 EST | Bolton Wanderers | v | Tottenham Hotspur | Reebok Stadium | Premier League |
Apr 21 | 02:30 EST | Queens Park Rangers | v | Tottenham Hotspur | Loftus Road | Premier League |
Apr 29 | 01:00 EST | Tottenham Hotspur | v | Blackburn Rovers | White Hart Lane | Premier League |
May 6 | 23:00 EST | Aston Villa | v | Tottenham Hotspur | Villa Park | Premier League |
May 13 | 00:00 EST | Tottenham Hotspur | v | Fulham | White Hart Lane | Premier League |
Spurs still remain in the FA Cup which will produce more fatigue amongst the squad and (hopefully) more injuries. They only have three matches against a top ten side, but two of which are away. They certainly have an ‘easier’ draw than Chelsea, but are struggling for form at present after a series of losses one of which was the beautiful 5-2 drumming from the Arsenal!
Chelsea’s remaining 10 fixtures:
Mar 21 | 06:45 EST | Manchester City | v | Chelsea | Etihad Stadium | Premier League |
Mar 24 | 23:45 EST | Chelsea | v | Tottenham Hotspur | Stamford Bridge | Premier League |
Mar 31 | 01:00 EST | Aston Villa | v | Chelsea | Villa Park | Premier League |
Apr 7 | 00:00 EST | Chelsea | v | Wigan Athletic | Stamford Bridge | Premier League |
Apr 9 | 05:00 EST | Fulham | v | Chelsea | Craven Cottage | Premier League |
Apr 14 | 00:00 EST | Chelsea | v | Newcastle United | Stamford Bridge | Premier League |
Apr 21 | 21:45 EST | Arsenal | v | Chelsea | Emirates Stadium | Premier League |
Apr 29 | 22:30 EST | Chelsea | v | Queens Park Rangers | Stamford Bridge | Premier League |
May 6 | 23:00 EST | Liverpool | v | Chelsea | Anfield | Premier League |
May 13 | 00:00 EST | Chelsea | v | Blackburn Rovers | Stamford Bridge | Premier League |
Chelsea have arguably the hardest remaining fixtures out of the Gunners and Spurs with a total of six games against a top 10 Premier League opponent, five of which are away. The blues have struggling in the league of late, but after a sensational comeback in the Champions League their mentality and team ethic will have improved since the departure of AVB. They may well seek a resurgence up the table so they will be tough to keep out of the top four, but adding in the two or more Champions League fixtures could take a toll on their squad..
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