Arsenal’s December Fixtures Preview
Saturday’s embarrassing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool clipped Arsenal’s wings, knocking them down from an encouraging eight-match unbeaten Premier League run.
Expectations were high in the travelling camp following an impressive run of form, but Mohamed Salah and co proved too hot to handle for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Despite the disheartening derby defeat at Anfield, the Gunners’ hopes of securing their first top-four finish since 2015/16 are very much alive, as they sit just three points adrift of fourth-placed West Ham.
December could be crucial for Arsenal, who still have to prove their top-four credentials, even though they have enjoyed a noticeable upturn in form lately.
Manchester United – Premier League, December 2
Early December won’t have mercy for Arsenal, as they start the month away at Old Trafford against fierce rivals Manchester United.
The betting odds are likely to still favour the hosts, which makes this an excellent opportunity for the smart punter to leverage available betting offers from different boomakers to back Arsenal for the win.
In addition to the Red Devils’ underwhelming start to the season, the Gunners are unbeaten in their last six Premier League encounters (W3, D3).
Therefore, Arteta’s side should feel confident at the Theatre of Dreams, especially after holding United goalless in their last three top-flight H2Hs.
Prediction: Arsenal to win – Draw no bet
Everton – Premier League, December 6
Only four days after their trip to Old Trafford, the Gunners will head to Goodison Park to take on Rafael Benitez’s out-of-form Everton side.
Arsenal lost both last season’s Premier League meetings with the Toffees by a single-goal margin, including a 2-1 defeat in this exact fixture in December 2020.
However, since the competition was rebranded in 1992, the Londoners have never lost three Premier League matches in a row against Everton.
Prediction: Arsenal to win – Draw no bet
Southampton – Premier League, December 11
Arsenal’s first Premier League home match in December pits them against mid-table Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.
Unbeaten in their last five top-flight clashes against the Saints (W3, D2), the Gunners alternated between a victory and a draw in that run of fixtures.
Regardless of the outcome, Arteta’s side should put a couple of goals past the Hampshire visitors, having netted 2+ goals in six of their last seven Premier League H2Hs.
Prediction: Arsenal to score over 1.5 goals
West Ham United – Premier League, December 15
Arsenal and high-flying West Ham United will go head-to-head at the Emirates in an all-London match-up on December 15.
After losing their first two Premier League London derbies of the season without scoring, the Gunners have gone unbeaten in their subsequent two such contests (W1, D1).
Another positive result could be on the cards, as Arsenal have avoided defeat in their last four league encounters against the Hammers (W3, D1).
Prediction: Both teams to score
Leeds United – Premier League, December 18
Following a scoreless draw in this exact fixture last season, Arsenal will be looking to post their first Premier League win at Elland Road since November 2003.
The Londoners are undefeated in their last six competitive away matches against Leeds United (W4, D2), which is a good sign going into this showdown.
Adding to Arsenal’s confidence, the Whites’ topsy-turvy start to the season (W2, D5, L4) currently puts them just a couple of points clear of the drop zone.
Prediction: Arsenal to win
Sunderland – Carabao Cup, December 21
Arsenal will welcome lower-league side Sunderland to the Emirates as overwhelming favourites to qualify for the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The Gunners have won both previous competitive games against the Black Cats by an aggregate score of 6-1, though it’s worth noting that they last faced them in May 2017.
Arteta’s men are likely to stretch that streak to three straight wins after ousting Leeds and AFC Wimbledon in the previous two Carabao Cup rounds without conceding.
Prediction: Arsenal to win despite a -1 handicap
Norwich City – Premier League, December 26
Boxing Day is always a date to look forward to on the Premier League calendar, and more so when you take on relegation-threatened Norwich City.
A hard-earned 1-0 win in the reverse fixture back in mid-September brought Arsenal’s season back to life, initiating the abovementioned eight-game unbeaten run.
Yet, Arteta’s side could have another evenly-contested encounter on their hands here, having won once in their last four Premier League visits to Carrow Road (D2, L1).
Prediction: Both teams to score
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League, December 28
Arsenal will wave goodbye to this calendar year on home turf as they will square off against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates in their last Premier League fixture of 2021.
However, after winning none of their last four top-flight H2Hs in the capital (D3, L1), the Gunners can ill-afford to take Wolves lightly.
Curiously, each draw during that four-game sequence yielded the identical 1-1 scoreline, highlighting the potential for a fair share of action on both ends of the pitch.
Prediction: Both teams to score
