Arsenal level on points with Man City, but who has the tougher run?
Arsenal moved level on points with Manchester City in the Premier League table after Saturday's results, though a comfortable win over Everton at the Emirates was only part of the story. Unai Emery's Aston Villa did Arsenal a favour by beating City 2-1, closing the goal difference gap between the two sides by three.
Goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes secured another three points for Mikel Arteta's side, but Arsenal remain second in the table on goal difference alone after eight games. Enzo Maresca's Chelsea and City sit five points clear of the chasing pack, hinting at another two horse title race.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
There is still uncertainty hanging over City's season, with the club awaiting the outcome of an appeal after being found guilty of 114 financial charges. For now though, City remain firmly in the mix for the Premier League title, and the two sides will meet head to head at the Emirates in late November.
Arsenal's run looks far tougher
According to football.london, Arsenal's next five Premier League fixtures are considerably more demanding than City's. Arteta's side travel to Liverpool on November 1 before hosting newly promoted Hull City, then face back to back away trips to Newcastle United and Brentford either side of hosting City themselves on November 29.
Three of those four taxing fixtures come away from home, starting at Anfield where City themselves lost earlier this month. Newcastle have struggled of late but remain a difficult venue regardless of form, while Brentford have already beaten both Tottenham and Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium this season.
Arsenal also have cup commitments to navigate in this period, facing Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup on October 27, Slavia Prague in the Champions League on November 4, and Borussia Dortmund in the same competition on November 24.
City's fixtures look kinder on paper
City's next five fixtures include three home games, starting with Brighton on October 31, a side that already beat Arsenal earlier this season. Trips to Nottingham Forest, who are yet to score at home this term, and a home game against Fulham follow before the trip to the Emirates on November 29.
City then round off the period at home to Leeds United, needing a last minute winner against the same opponent last season. City also face Brighton in the Carabao Cup on October 28, along with RB Leipzig and Napoli in the Champions League.
With the two sides level on points but Arsenal facing a notably sterner run of fixtures, the next month could prove decisive in shaping how the title race unfolds before the two meet directly at the Emirates.
