Arsenal got 2015 off to a miserable start with a dismal 2-0 defeat to Southampton at St Mary’s on New Year’s Day.
Defensive mistakes proved costly for the Gunners on the south coast and their misery was compounded further by the Saints opening up a wider gap in the race for fourth whilst Tottenham’s spectacular win over Chelsea later in the day merely rubbed salt in the wounds.
Arsene Wenger was also confronted on the touchline by an angry supporter and despite a positive recent run of results, the Frenchman is very much still a man under pressure.
With the race for the top four hotting up, Arsenal face a tough task during the second half of the season to ensure they keep up their superb record under Wenger of qualifying for the Champions League.
That will be no easy task however with Tottenham improving all the time and Southampton and West Ham United showing no signs of dropping out of the race easily whilst Liverpool sit just four points behind the Gunners in the table following a recent upturn in form.
Here we have gone through the fixtures and identified five matches which Arsenal cannot afford to lose if they want to end the season in that coveted fourth spot.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal 5 fixtures that Arsenal CAN’T afford to lose.
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Tottenham (Away) – 7/2/2015
Tottenham appear to be the side with the momentum in the race for fourth whilst their 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Year’s Day proved they are capable of producing a top performance against anyone on their day.
In Harry Kane, Spurs boast one of the most in form strikers in the country whilst Arsenal’s defending and away form in particular this season has been poor.
A North London derby at White Hart Lane is never easy but on current form you would class Tottenham as favourites for the three points at this moment in time.
Crystal Palace (Away) – 21/2/2015
Arsenal have made hard work of their last two matches against Crystal Palace, coming from behind to win 2-1 on the opening day of the season courtesy of a last minute Aaron Ramsey goal.
With Alan Pardew set to be appointed at Selhurst Park, a new manager may be the thing that galvanises the Eagles as they look to fight off relegation in the second half of the season.
This London derby has banana skin written all over it and Arsenal will need to show the fight and character in a hostile atmosphere that has often been lacking away from home this season if they are to come out on top.
Newcastle United (Away) – 21/3/2015
A lot will depend on who Newcastle United appoint as their new manager between now and this fixture in March but St James’ Park is often a difficult place to go if the fans are onside.
Both Liverpool and Chelsea have suffered defeats on Tyneside this season and Arsenal will have to be at their best if they are to avoid the same fate.
The timing of this fixture is also crucial with Liverpool set to visit the Emirates Stadium in the next fixture – a match that could have a big baring on who finishes fourth come May.
Chelsea (Home) – 25/4/2015
Given that Arsene Wenger has never beaten Jose Mourinho in the Premier League, this fixture at the Emirates Stadium has an air of inevitability about it.
Chelsea will arrive in North London in May seemingly fighting Manchester City for the title whilst the Gunners face a tough run in in the fight for fourth.
If ever Wenger was to get one over on his arch nemesis Mourinho, this fixture would be the time to do it although Arsenal will have to upset the history books to do it.
Manchester United (Away) – 16/5/2015
Ideally Arsenal would like to have fourth place secured by the time they travel to face Manchester United in what is the penultimate game of the Premier League season.
Old Trafford is one of the last places you want to be visiting in need of three points and with Louis van Gaal’s side seemingly improving each week, this could be a very tricky test for the Gunners – especially when you consider the way in which they lost to United at the Emirates Stadium in November.
