Arsenal face tougher run than Man City before Emirates title clash
Arsenal's 2-0 win over Everton arrived just hours after Manchester City suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season at Aston Villa, leaving both title rivals level on 21 points with City ahead only on goal difference. But a look at each side's next five fixtures suggests Arsenal have the harder road ahead.
Arsenal travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on 1 November, host newly promoted Hull City on 7 November, then make the long trip to Newcastle on 21 November after the international break. That run is followed by a home meeting with Manchester City on 29 November and an away trip to Brentford on 1 December.
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City's schedule looks considerably kinder on paper. Pep Guardiola's side host Brighton on 31 October, travel to Nottingham Forest on 7 November, welcome Fulham to the Etihad on 21 November, then make the trip to the Emirates on 29 November before hosting Leeds on 2 December.
Liverpool trip looms large
The visit to Anfield stands out as an early test of Arsenal's title credentials. Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, picked up a 2-0 win over Brighton to mark his first home Premier League victory in charge, with the Reds looking sharp and increasingly settled under his leadership.
Liverpool sit six points behind Arsenal, but that performance served as a reminder of the test awaiting Arteta's side. City have already won at Anfield this season, meaning Arsenal matching that result would send a strong signal to their title rivals, though a draw would not be a disaster provided points keep being picked up elsewhere.
A decisive November 29
The fixture that stands out above all is City's trip to the Emirates on 29 November. Both sides will have played three more league matches by then, and as Just Arsenal notes, the table could look very different by the time that meeting arrives.
Aston Villa's win over City was a reminder that a stronger squad does not guarantee results, something Arsenal capitalised on against Everton. Both clubs also have Champions League and Carabao Cup commitments to navigate across the coming weeks, adding further weight to a congested period.
Arsenal's task over the next month is not simply about staying level with City on points. It is about proving they can handle the pressures that come with defending the Premier League title, with Champions League and domestic cup fixtures layered on top of a demanding run of league games. Coming through that stretch level with, or ahead of, City would represent a significant marker heading into the Emirates showdown on 29 November.
