Arsenal players gather together before the match against Bayer Leverkusen (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)
It’s probably no exaggeration to say that the fate of Arsenal’s season probably hinges on their next four games in each competition, which the club is still challenging.
It has been an exciting season for the Gunners, but there are still signs of tension in Mikel Arteta’s side. They don’t really enjoy the moments when they play their best or most stylish football.
Still, this is an Arsenal team that knows how to get results and score goals with well-worked set-pieces, and it’s worked well so far, with the north Londoners sitting seven points clear at the top of the Premier League and preparing for the Carabao Cup final.
They are still in the Champions League and FA Cup and have lost just three games in all competitions all season, but that could change quickly over the next four games. Here’s how…
Saturday: Arsenal vs. Everton (Premier League)
Arsenal may be seven points ahead of Man City, but Josep Guardiola’s side still have a game in hand. Picking up the three points is imperative for Arsenal after their recent failures of draws away to Brentford and Everton.
This is seen as a winnable game, as is City facing a resurgent West Ham, so if today’s result goes well, expect football betting sites to start leaning even more towards the Gunners.
A win for Arsenal and a draw or defeat for City would feel too far for the Sky Blues to turn around. At the same time, if AFC fails again, there could be enough swings to swing things significantly back in MCFC’s favor.
March 17: Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League)
Days before the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal will need to focus hard to avoid an upset against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Arteta’s side weren’t too happy with the draw in the first leg, but Kai Havertz’s penalty in the second half helped them escape with a 1-1 draw. Even if they didn’t play that well at the Emirates Stadium, this Leverkusen team is more than enough to cause surprise.
This Arsenal team is certainly good enough to end the club’s misdeeds in the European Cup, but they are close at this level and will have to go into the game even with a chance of winning a silver medal in the coming days.
March 22: Arsenal vs. Manchester City (Carabao Cup Final)
Needless to say, this is a big game that not only means a chance for an early season silver medal, but it will also bring together two title contenders and tell us a lot about who is in a stronger position to advance and finish as champions.
Arsenal could really use that mental boost against City, even though their record against City has improved recently, as the club are still chasing their first trophy since 2020, Arteta’s first season in charge.
If City can take the lead, it could spur the kind of success that has seen them overwhelm Arsenal in the final stages of the season.
April 4: Southampton vs Arsenal (FA Cup)
On paper, this is a fairly favorable draw for Arsenal in the next round of the FA Cup, but they are not taking anything for granted.
If the Gunners are in contention for the title, eliminated from the Champions League and eliminated in the Carabao Cup final by the time this game comes around, it will be vitally important that they win the FA Cup and salvage their season.
Southampton look to have plenty of chances, but there is no room for complacency at St Mary’s Stadium as the club have a surprisingly good record against Arsenal in the Premier League era.
