Eyes return to Premier League action for Arsenal and their rivals as the Gunners look to hold onto their place at the top of the table.
Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend after getting an advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-final. (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The 2025/26 Premier League season is now well over halfway through with Arsenal leading the way as they look for their first title in over 20 years.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit at the top of the table, six points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester City and surprise package Aston Villa. The Gunners will hope that they can maintain, or even increase, that gap between now and the end of the season.
Teams have had a break from Premier League action over the last week. All clubs were in FA Cup third round action last weekend, with Arsenal one of four clubs to also take part in the midweek Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The Gunners had success in both and will be looking to take that momentum back into the Premier League when it returns this weekend.
Given the title race, it’s starting to get to the point of the season where the results of other teams involved are checked and dropped points celebrated. With that in mind, here’s a look at what lies ahead in the next few weeks for Arsenal, Man City and Villa.
Arsenal (1st place, 49 points)
Nottingham Forest (A) – Saturday 17 January (5.30pm)
Man United (H) – Sunday 25 Jan (4.30pm)
Leeds United (A) – Saturday 31 Jan (3pm)
Sunderland (H) – Saturday 7 February (3pm)
Brentford (A) – Thursday 12 February (8pm)
It’s a bit of a mixed bag for Arsenal, with games against Nottingham Forest and Leeds United on paper seen as winnable. Both clubs are just above the relegation zone, but will be looking for points to increase that gap, especially at home.
Sunderland have impressed in their first season back in the Premier League and have proved to be a tough test for a lot of their opponents this season. It’s a similar story with Brentford with Keith Andrews’ side currently sitting in fifth place in the table.
In between the Premier League games, Arsenal are also in action in the Champions League and Carabao Cup. They face a trip to face Inter and a home game against Kairat, as well as the home leg of the League Cup semi-final vs Chelsea, which they go into with a 3-2 lead.
Arsenal will hope to take the momentum from the cup games into the Premier League. (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Man City (2nd place, 43 points)
Manchester United (A) – Saturday 17 January (12.30pm)
Wolves (H) – Saturday 24 January (3pm)
Tottenham (A) – Sunday 1 February (4.30pm)
Liverpool (A) – Sunday 8 February (4.30pm)
Fulham (H) – Wednesday 11 February (7.30pm)
City’s run of fixtures starts with a blockbuster Manchester Derby at Old Trafford. Despite United’s form, a derby match can produce shock results. There is more uncertainty given it will be Michael Carrick’s first game in interim charge of United, with the new boss looking to get off to a good start.
City will look at the games against Wolves and Tottenham as ones that they should get three points in, although the latter has been a bit of a banana skin for them in recent seasons. The game against Liverpool at Anfield could be harder to predict, despite the Reds’ disappointing first half of the season.
Like Arsenal, City also have Champions League and Carabao Cup games in between. Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Bodo/Glimt and host Galatasaray in the Champions League.
In the Carabao Cup they host Newcastle in the second leg of the semi-final with a 2-0 lead.
Aston Villa (3rd place, 43 points)
Everton (H) – Sunday 18 January (4.30pm)
Newcastle (A) – Sunday 25 January (2pm)
Brentford (H) – Sunday 1 February (2pm)
Bournemouth (A) – Saturday 7 February (3pm)
Brighton (H) – Wednesday 11 February (7.30pm)
Aston Villa probably have the toughest run of the three teams, despite not playing one of the traditional big six. Clashes against Newcastle and Brentford stand out as tough tests, although Everton, Bournemouth and Brighton will be no pushovers.
While they don’t have Champions League football, Villa still so have Europa League action in between, meaning a lot of their games are played on a Sunday. Unai Emery’s team face a trip to Turkey to take on Fenerbahce, they also host RB Salzburg at home in the competition.
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It’s a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.
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