The Premier League has barely come to an end and the fixture list for the 2016/17 season was released on the 15th June. The Euros are ongoing but we feel that the fixture list is one of the most exciting parts during the build up to a new season; as it gives everyone the opportunity to speculate about the games to come.
Here is our take on five key games to look out for throughout the 2016/17 season for each premier league team, starting with the gunners.
Arsenal
20 August 2016: Leicester (A)
In this match you have 1st v 2nd. Normally that should be enough to explain why this is an important game for both teams so early on in the season but this is important for not only Arsenal but all of the other so called ‘big teams’ in the premier league. This is a match to prove that last season was indeed a fluke. It will be Leicester’s first home match of the new season as champions. If Arsenal beat Leicester in convincing fashion it may set the marker down for the other premier league big boys to re-establish themselves as serious competitors for the premier league trophy. Also, (depending on whether he stays or goes) it could be Jamie Vardy’s first return to the King Power Stadium as an opponent. Last year this fixture was one of the games of the season; ending 2-5 to Arsenal. Prepare yourselves for another classic.
19 November 2016: Manchester United (A)
This is always one to watch but now that Jose Mourinho is in charge at Old Trafford this one could be pivotal to Arsenal’s title credentials. Considering the record Wenger has vs Jose and at Old Trafford; a win here could be a significant psychological victory in the battle between these two clubs.
Wenger’s record v Mourinho:
- Games Played: 13
- Won: 0
- Drawn: 6
- Lost: 7
- Goals For: 5
- Goals Against: 21
Wenger’s record at Old Trafford
- Games Played: 19
- Won: 3
- Drawn: 5
- Lost: 11
- Goals For: 11
- Goals Against: 32
4 March 2017: Liverpool (A)
It is normally at this stage of the season where Arsenal seem to lose momentum in the premier league. They often go out of the champions league at this stage and fail to wn important games in the league to push their title bid to the final few games of the season. For that reason; a trip the Jurgen Klopps’ Liverpool may not be ideal if this Arsenal pattern repeats itself once more. It will be a very passionate game and one Arsenal may have to win in order to prove their doubters wrong.
1 April 2017: Manchester City (A)
For similar reasons as stated for the Liverpool game; this match will be at a point of the season Arsenal fans have come to dread. In addition it will be against a Man City with Pep Guardiola at the helm; with 8 months experience in the premier league. One expects him to have settled on a formidable team by this point in the season. This game will be beautiful on the eye; but also massively important for both teams.
29 April 2017: Tottenham (A)
The north London derby. Always one to watch and full of surprises. But this one will be bigger than those in the past. Tottenham are a different prospect under Mauricio Pochettino. They are organised, confident and for what they may lack in experience they have plenty of in energy and passion. They proved this last season. If both teams are competing for the league at this stage next season; expect a repeat of ‘the battle at the bridge’ where Spurs and Chelsea were playing a sport closer to rugby than football. (Yes the match where Mousa Dembélé tried to take Diego Costa’s eye home with him.)
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