Arsenal and Liverpool’s next five fixtures after huge twist in Premier League title race

Arsenal dropped points in the Premier League title race as they lost to West Ham United and failed to capitalise after Liverpool only drew against Aston Villa earlier in the week

Arsenal missed their chance to narrow the gap to Liverpool in the Premier League, after falling to defeat against West Ham United.

The Gunners entered the clash with the opportunity to pile the pressure on their rivals, after the Reds slipped up against Aston Villa earlier in the week. However, Jarrod Bowen’s goal ensured the 10-man Gunners came away without any points to speak of on Saturday afternoon.

Eight points separate the sides after 26 games with the Reds remaining top of the table under Arne Slot after an outstanding start to the season. Liverpool have lost just once all term, while the Irons handed Arsenal their third league defeat of 2024/25.

The pair’s next five matches will push them into the final stretch of the season, and Slot’s side will not have to wait long until they tick off their first challenge. A trip to Manchester City awaits on Sunday where the Reds could extend their lead to 11 points should they overcome the Premier League champions, who currently sit fourth.

Defeat has ensured a more difficult task for the Gunners and Mikel Arteta than they will have anticipated. While the possibility of winning the title is already out of their hands, the Spanish head coach was frustrated his side did not take advantage of what was.

“It’s not in our hands,” he said of the title race following defeat. “I’m really really annoyed of the things that were in our hands.”

Mirror Football takes a look at each side’s next five fixtures below.

Arsenal

Nottingham Forest (a), Manchester United (a), Chelsea (h), Fulham (h), Everton (a)

Things don’t get any easier for the Gunners in the coming weeks. While they easily dispatched Nottingham Forest earlier this season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have proven themselves a top contender and will relish the challenge of welcoming Arsenal to the City Ground.

Manchester United meanwhile are a side of fragility but have shown themselves capable of beating Arsenal in the FA Cup and are often a stiff test when facing a more difficult side. Arteta will hope his side can overcome Chelsea and Fulham at the Emirates but neither will make life easy, and a trip to Goodison Park will be no walkover such is their resurgent form under David Moyes.

Liverpool

Manchester City (a), Newcastle (h), Southampton (h), Everton (h), Fulham (a)

Liverpool have already dropped points to Newcastle, Everton and Fulham this season, and even required a comeback against Southampton before claiming three points. So, Arsenal will be forgiven for thinking opportunities to close the gap could still come.

With matches against Paris-Saint Germain and a Carabao Cup final too, it will not be an easy sequence for Slot to capitalise upon. If they can earn a positive result at the Etihad, the Reds will ensure they have impressive momentum in contrast to Arsenal and open up their lead even further once again.

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