Opinion

What Liverpool have to contend with while Arsenal are in Dubai could change Premier League title race

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After a relentless stretch of congested fixtures, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta finally have a break in the midst of their chaotic season.

The Gunners have ten days off between their Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday night and their game against Leicester City next Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal jetted off to Dubai on Thursday morning, as the manager looks to utilise this break to work on tactical aspects of the game and to try and improve morale amongst his players.

Arteta has taken a huge squad to the Middle East, in what could prove to be a hugely beneficial rest for his ensemble.

Arsenal Training Session
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Liverpool have two matches to play while Arsenal are in Dubai

Arsenal have looked fatigued in recent matches, and thus, this break arrives at the perfect time for the North London outfit.

Sat six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, the Premier League title looks a long way off for Arteta’s men.

However, this interlude in the season could alter the momentum in the race for the prestigious piece of silverware.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
1 LiverpoolLiverpool23 17 5 1 56 21 35 56
2 ArsenalArsenal24 14 8 2 49 22 27 50
3 Nottm ForestNottingham Forest24 14 5 5 40 27 13 47
4 ChelseaChelsea24 12 7 5 47 31 16 43
5 Man CityManchester City24 12 5 7 48 35 13 41

While Arsenal are recharging their batteries, Liverpool remain in the United Kingdom and continue to play every three days.

After beating Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, the Reds face a long journey to the south-west to face Plymouth in the FA Cup on Sunday.

They then return to the north-west to take on city rivals Everton in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park next Wednesday.

  • FA Cup
    • PlymouthPlymouth

      LiverpoolLiverpool

  • Premier League
    • EvertonEverton

      LiverpoolLiverpool

Everton have been galvanised by the return of David Moyes to the dugout, and will be desperate to win their final match against their bitter rivals at their old ground.

Liverpool take on these challenges while Arsenal have their foot up in the heat of Dubai.

In such an intense and fixture-packed season, this minor difference in schedules could give the Gunners a significant advantage for the rest of the season.

While Arsenal fans were upset by their defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup, the exit from the competition has directly led to their much-needed Dubai break.

Arsenal have easier Premier League fixtures than Liverpool

While this quirk in the calendar could give Arsenal a minor advantage, Arteta’s team have a definitive advantage over Liverpool regarding the remaining fixtures they both have to play.

The Merseyside outfit still have to travel to Chelsea, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Fulham and Brighton, while they also have to host Tottenham and Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s only away games against teams in the top ten come at Anfield and the City Ground.

The North Londoners are yet to lose at home, and have to face just Chelsea, Newcastle and Bournemouth, who may seriously test this unbeaten record at the Emirates.