Season defining: Why the two upcoming Premier League fixtures are must-win for Arsenal!

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Having recorded their first win of the new calender year last time out, Arsenal will be back at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon to entertain Brentford as the race for the top four starts heating up.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta in a match against Manchester City. Photo Credits: Twitter.

The Gunners have failed to capitalize on some slip ups this season having recorded some disappointing results like the loss to Everton, who had not win in eight games before hosting the Mikel Arteta's side at the Goodison.

Arsenal also failed to beat Burnley at the Emirates in a 0-0 draw, while they have also been forced to take a point in games you'd expect them to take maximum points. Right now, they occupy the sixth position on the log though have played three games less compared to their direct rivals for a Champions League spot.

However, it should be noted that of the three games in hand, their is a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and another London derby as they will entertain Chelsea at the Emirates.

Those are two fixtures that will prove a tough nut to crack for the 13 times champions but it is not a mission impossible, but they have to capitalize when they come up against teams that posses not as much threat as their direct rivals.

Winning against Brentford and Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wonderers, both games coming up at the Emirates will see leapfrog West Ham United to fifth and maybe move ahead of Manchester United depending on the result of Ralf Rangnick side's travel to Elland Road.

The Gunners also have to be aware that they are just two and three points ahead of Wolverhampton Wonderers and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, the former whom they will play later next week and anything but a win will still see them as unconvincing, and it might come with a cost of their place on the top seven.

Tottenham Hotspur has played as many games as Arsenal and will also be playing twice this Matchday, meaning Mikel Arteta's side can have no room for error as it's effect will be devastating.

Arsenal lost their first game of the season away to Brentford and will be looking to make amends this time when Thomas Frank's side, who are without a win in their last seven games visits the Emirates.

Gabriel Magalhães scored the only goal for Arsenal in the win over Wolverhampton Wonderers. Photo Credits: Twitter.

They were able to better Wolverhampton Wonderers in their last match thanks to Gabriel Magalhães’ lone goal and they will be looking to complete a league double over the Molineux landlord for the first time since 2010-11 season.

Gabriel Martinelli will miss the visit of Brentford as he will be serving his one match suspension picked up against Wolves last time out but will be available against Bruno Lage side later in the week. Takehiro Tomiyasu is a doubt for the contest as Mikel Arteta had made it known that he is not sure if the Japanese could make his return this weekend.

The upcoming fixtures will be make or break in Arsenal’s quest for a top four finish and winning the two will do well to back their cause but any results from that will be shambles, and maybe an end to their quest for a climax finish to the league season.


Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

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