A quirk of the fixture schedule could play into Arsenal’s hands this season.
As things stand, whilst it is still early days in the campaign, Arsenal are somewhat on the back foot when it comes to the title race.
With nine games played apiece, the Gunners sit third in the Premier League table, four points behind Liverpool and five points adrift of holders and leaders Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side have already dropped points in four games, with three draws and one defeat on their record.
There are some mitigating factors for this return. Arsenal have endured an injury crisis, with Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka, and Jurrien Timber, amongst others, all having been sidelined at times.
Disciplinary issues have also been a problem. The Gunners have had three players sent off already this season, and have dropped points in each of the games that they have been reduced to ten men.
Arsenal now need to put these issues behind them and produce a sustained run of form if they are to stand any chance of being crowned champions.
Fixture anomaly to favour Arsenal in Premier League title race
One of the huge challenges that a club like Arsenal need to overcome is fixture congestion, and the stresses and strains of travelling that comes with competing in the Champions League as well as in domestic competitions.
However, as things stand with the fixture calendar, Arsenal will not have to leave London for any of their matches throughout the entire month of December.
In the final month of the year, the Gunners will travel to face only fellow capital clubs West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Brentford. Whilst they will welcome Manchester United, Monaco, Everton, Crystal Palace, and Ipswich Town to the Emirates Stadium.
This lack of travel gives Arsenal a huge advantage throughout this period, as they will be able to keep their players better rested and relaxed. Arteta needs to ensure that his side make the most of this fortune to rack up the kind of points in December that could see them take charge of the title race.
Premier League title pressure on Arsenal
The Gunners have finished as Premier League runners up in each of the last two seasons, and this time around there is a sense that they need to take that next, final step.
Arteta has promised Arsenal fans that trophies are on the way, and he must deliver. His team has endured a less than perfect start to the campaign but there is still everything to play for, for now.
However, Arsenal’s margin for error is incredibly slim at this stage, such is the standard being set at the top of the table.
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