Arsenal presently leads the Premier League table coming into December, but only by one point over reigning champions Manchester City. Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Tottenham are also in the mix, with the packed Christmas fixture schedule certain to cause mayhem in terms of sharpness and injury concerns.
So far this season, the Gunners boast the greatest defensive record in the Premier League, surrendering only ten goals in 13 games. With a 6-0 win over Lens on Wednesday night, Mikel Arteta’s side clinched their place in the Champions League last-16, meaning Arsenal could use a rotated squad in their final Group B match against PSV later this month.
With Arsenal expected to play eight games in December, Arteta will need to manage his team well throughout the holiday season. So, with that in mind, football.london has looked at Arsenal’s future fixtures and compared them to the rest of the championship contenders below.
Wolves (H) – Premier League – December 2
The Gunners begin December at home against Wolves, who are presently 14th in the league standings. Wolves have beaten the north Londoners at home and away in each of the last two Premier League campaigns, and they have won both.
Luton Town (A) – Premier League – December 5
This season, the Hatters have struggled to climb the Premier League ladder, but Rob Edwards has shown that teams should not underestimate his team. Luton Town gave Liverpool a run for their money at Kenilworth Road, and they picked up their first home win of the season against Crystal Palace this weekend. They’ll be hoping to catch Arsenal off guard as well.
Aston Villa (A) – Premier League – December 9
Unai Emery will be determined to wreak havoc on his former club. This season, Villa have been a force to be reckoned with at Villa Park, so Arsenal should expect a difficult game.
PSV (A) – Champions League – December 12
Mikel Arteta will have the opportunity to change his starting XI and rest a number of key players in Arsenal’s final Group B match. The Gunners will advance to the last-16 after winning Group B.
Brighton (H) – Premier League – December 17
Another difficult game for the Gunners. Brighton have had a few blips this season, but they remain a powerful outfit capable of challenging for a Champions League qualification spot.
Liverpool (A) – Premier League – December 23
Arsenal will then face championship rivals Liverpool at Anfield, where the Gunners haven’t won all three points in the Premier League since 2012. Last season, they led 2-0 in Merseyside before the hosts came back to tie the game at 2-2.
This fixture could cause a huge swing in the title race as we head towards 2024.
West Ham (H) – Premier League – December 28
Arsenal will face West Ham in a London derby after Christmas. The Gunners enjoy a five-day break following their title match against Liverpool at Anfield.
Fulham (A) – Premier League – December 31
The Gunners will remain in London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage. Last season, Marco Silva’s side were thrashed at home by Arsenal, who featured Leandro Trossard.
Arteta will be hoping to close 2023 with a win and continue Arsenal’s chase of a first-league title since 2004.
Manchester City
Tottenham (H) – Sunday, December 3
Aston Villa (A) – December 6
Luton Town (A) – December 10
Crvena Zvezda (A) – December 13
Crystal Palace (H) – December 16
Brentford (H) – TBD
Everton (A) – December 27
Sheffield United (H) – December 30
Tottenham
Man City (A) – Sunday, December 3
West Ham (H) – Thursday, December 7
Newcastle (H) – Sunday, December 10
Nottingham Forest (A) – December 15
Everton (H) – December 23
Brighton (A) – December 28
Bournemouth (H) – December 31
Liverpool
Fulham (H) – Sunday, December 3
Sheffield United (A) – December 6
Crystal Palace (A) – December 9
Union Saint-Gilloise (A) – December 14
Manchester United (H) – December 17
West Ham (H) – December 20
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