Arsenal have suffered successive cup setbacks due to wasteful finishing and were again wasteful 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 get 10 points tonight.”
The Gunners managed to score twice after Son Heung-min’s first goal 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 blip from Liverpool that left Mikel Arteta’s side just four points behind the league leaders.
Here’s what to expect from both clubs in what could be crucial weeks.
The Emirates will be afraid when Aston Villa They travel to north London on Saturday evening after dashing Arsenal’s title hopes with a 2-0 win last April. Unai Emery achieved the double against Arteta last season, but the Gunners were able to get some revenge with a 2-0 win at Villa Park at the start of the 2024/25 season.
Villa’s visit is followed by another opponent from the West Midlands, but Arsenal must make the trip to the Black Country to complete their Premier League schedule in January. Wolves have become a more enterprising unit under new coach Vitor Pereira and their drive for points means the game will be anything but easy for the title contenders.
February meeting with eternal champions Manchester City would have been tipped as potential title holders in pre-season, but Cityzens’ problems mean they are unlikely to challenge for the title. Even when you think they’re back, Pep Guardiola’s side squander a 2-0 lead at Brentford.
Arsenal will reportedly use their week off the following weekend (after 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 sparked a remarkable rebound in the second half of the 2023/24 season and fans will be desperately hoping the camp has a similar impact this time.
When they meet, they should be rejuvenated from injury and healthier Leicester on February 12 before hosting a West Ham The team were encouraged by Graham Potter’s arrival the following week.
Date and kick-off time (GMT) | device |
|---|---|
01/18/25 – 5:30 p.m | Arsenal vs Aston Villa |
01/25/25 – 3:00 p.m | Wolves vs Arsenal |
02/25/25 – 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 vs West Ham |
Liverpool have dropped points in back-to-back Premier League games but their second-half performance at Nottingham Forest hardly suggested a major loss. Without Matz Sels’ monstrous performance they would have come away from the City Ground with three points.
However, the slots site will be put to the test in tougher environments over the next few weeks. Liverpool visit Brentfordone of the most dangerous and best-performing home teams in the division this season, the weekend before the clash Bournemouth at Vitality on February 1st.
The Cherries have not been beaten on the south coast since November 23rd.
Ipswich Visit Anfield between these two difficult tests as Liverpool beat Kieran McKenna’s side 2-0 on the opening weekend of the season.
Everton Fans will enjoy the midweek visit of the title favorites next month after the first game at Goodison Park was postponed due to Storm Darragh. The Toffees prevailed in the corresponding encounter last season and Liverpool have a lot of work to do if they are to triumph in the final Merseyside derby at Everton’s historic ground.
Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League season ends at home against the relegation-threatened team Wolves.
Date and kick-off time (GMT) | device |
|---|---|
01/18/25 – 3:00 p.m | Brentford vs Liverpool |
01/25/25 – 3:00 p.m | Liverpool vs Ipswich |
02/01/25 – 3:00 p.m | Bournemouth vs Liverpool |
12/02/25 – 7:30 p.m | Everton vs Liverpool |
02/16/25 – 2:00 p.m | Liverpool vs Wolves |